“Foolish man!” Madam Pomfrey snapped.
The reprimand landed with enough force that even Snape looked mildly offended.
Shaking her head, the matron returned her attention to the unconscious Headmaster.
“The damage is severe,” she said grimly.
“Far more severe than I initially suspected.”
Another diagnostic charm washed over Dumbledore’s body.
“I’m taking him directly to the infirmary. Only then can I even begin assessing the extent of the mental trauma.”
Professor McGonagall hesitated for barely a second.
Then her eyes shifted toward the phoenix.
“Fawkes.”
The magnificent bird, who had been watching silently from his perch, tilted his head.
There was unmistakable sadness in his dark eyes.
“Would you please transport Albus and Poppy to the Hospital Wing?”
The phoenix released a soft, mournful trill.
Without hesitation, he glided down beside the bed.
A heartbeat later brilliant flames erupted around them.
The fire vanished almost instantly.
So did Fawkes.
Along with Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey.
The office suddenly felt far emptier.
McGonagall released a tired sigh.
“I suppose we’d best head downstairs.”
She rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“We’ll need to meet the Aurors anyway.”
“I’ll go to the infirmary.”
Snape’s voice cut through the silence.
“Poppy may require assistance.”
His expression revealed little, though Harry suspected the Potions Master was far more concerned than he wished to appear.
Without waiting for a response, Snape swept from the office in a swirl of black robes.
The remaining occupants followed at a considerably less dramatic pace.
The journey down from the Headmaster’s office proved short.
Halfway along the corridor they encountered a group approaching from the opposite direction.
Madam Amelia Bones led the way.
Flanking her were two Aurors.
Harry recognized both immediately.
John Dawlish.
Kingsley Shacklebolt.
The moment she saw McGonagall, Madam Bones accelerated her pace.
“What is this I hear about an illegal Legilimency attempt involving the Headmaster?”
There was no greeting.
No small talk.
Just business.
McGonagall looked exhausted already.
“Albus has been taken to the Hospital Wing.”
She gestured ahead.
“We’re on our way there now.”
Madam Bones nodded once.
“Dawlish. Shacklebolt.”
Both Aurors immediately broke away and headed for the infirmary at a jog.
Only then did Bones continue walking beside the group.
“I assume the Headmaster suffered significant injuries?”
“It appears so.”
McGonagall’s tone remained measured.
“And who was the target of this alleged Legilimency attempt?”
“That would be me, Madam Bones.”
The witch’s sharp gaze settled on Harry.
For several moments she studied him.
Assessing.
Evaluating.
Finally she grunted softly and looked forward again.
“Witnesses?”
“All of us.”
McGonagall nodded toward Hermione and Daphne.
“Professor Snape as well.”
Madam Bones’ expression grew even more serious.
“The wand?”
“I have it.”
Harry reached into his pocket and produced the Elder Wand.
The movement drew several curious glances.
Madam Bones accepted it without comment.
Holding the wand in one hand and her own in the other, she cast Prior Incantato while continuing to walk.
Ghostly spell echoes emerged one after another.
Legilimency.
A compulsion charm.
Another compulsion charm.
The conjuration of four chairs.
Then a minor spell Harry didn’t recognize.
Likely something entirely mundane.
Madam Bones’ jaw tightened visibly.
Without saying a word, she withdrew an evidence pouch from inside her robes.
The Elder Wand disappeared inside it.
The pouch sealed itself automatically.
Only then did she look back toward Harry.
“Your wand, Mister Potter.”
Harry sighed.
“Before we begin, Madam Bones, I’d like to remind you that my wand was previously used to cast the Dark Mark at the World Cup.”
Bones raised an eyebrow.
“And you were cleared of wrongdoing.”
“Exactly.”
“Then hand it over.”
Harry complied.
Once again Prior Incantato was cast.
A spectral spell emerged.
The revealing charm Harry had used the previous evening.
Then the Dark Mark.
Madam Bones watched for a moment before lowering her wand.
A hint of surprise crossed her features.
“You haven’t performed any other magic since the World Cup?”
“No, ma’am.”
She handed the wand back.
“Then it’s rather obvious you weren’t responsible for whatever incapacitated the Headmaster.”
“No, ma’am.”
Harry slipped the wand back into his pocket.
Privately, he made a mental note.
The first time he left Hogwarts, he intended to purchase proper wand holsters for all three of them.
Preferably with anti-summoning enchantments.
Today had demonstrated exactly how useful such precautions could be.
The Hospital Wing was considerably busier than normal when they arrived.
Madam Pomfrey stood beside Dumbledore’s bed.
Across from her, Kingsley Shacklebolt appeared to be enduring a particularly aggressive lecture.
Dawlish had wisely retreated several steps.
Snape stood nearby with his arms folded.
To Harry’s surprise, the Potions Master actually looked amused.
Madam Bones entered and immediately took command.
“What seems to be the issue?”
Before Kingsley could answer, Pomfrey did it for him.
“Your Aurors are attempting to place magical restraint shackles on my patient.”
The matron looked deeply unimpressed.
“I cannot permit that while he’s in critical condition.”
She gestured sharply toward Dumbledore.
“I may need access to his magical core during treatment.”
Madam Bones considered that for only a moment.
Then she nodded.
“Very well.”
She turned toward the Aurors.
“Secure him using non-magical restraints instead.”
Pomfrey looked scandalized.
Bones wasn’t finished.
“I don’t want Albus performing wandless magic and vanishing before I can question him.” Find the original chapter at g.com.
The matron folded her arms.
“I assure you, Madam Bones, he’s not going anywhere.”
Her gaze drifted toward the unconscious wizard.
“Not for quite some time.”
Meanwhile, Dawlish and Kingsley had already adjusted their approach.
Simple metal restraints replaced the magical versions.
Within moments Dumbledore’s wrists were secured to the bedframe.
Pomfrey checked everything personally.
Only after she was satisfied did she step back.
Then her expression turned grave.
She looked directly at McGonagall.
“I’m calling St. Mungo’s.”
Nobody argued.
“This is beyond my expertise.”
McGonagall gave a sharp nod.
“Do it.”
While the hospital staff prepared for the arrival of specialist Mind Healers, Madam Bones began the formal investigation.
Harry was questioned first.
The interview took place away from the others.
He explained the formation of the bond.
Or rather, he explained everything except how it had formed.
That information remained private.
Madam Bones clearly wasn’t happy about that.
Fortunately, she accepted his refusal.
Harry then described the previous evening.
The request for a private apartment.
The arrangement approved by the Heads of House.
The summons from Dumbledore after breakfast.
And his belief that the Headmaster intended to interrogate them regarding the bond.
“I brought Daphne and Hermione because the matter concerns all three of us.”
Bones nodded for him to continue.
Harry described the conversation inside the office.
The repeated demands for information.
The refusals.
Then the attack.
“I felt the compulsion charm first.”
His brow furrowed.
“It was subtle, but definitely there.”
Daphne, standing nearby, immediately added,
“One of those compulsion charms was directed at me.”
That caused Madam Bones’ expression to darken further.
Harry continued.
“Then came the Legilimency.”
He paused.
Trying to find the right words.
“The best way I can describe it is that the intrusion hit something.”
“Something?” Bones asked.
Harry shrugged.
“It shattered.”
He looked genuinely puzzled.
“Or was shredded.”
After a moment he added,
“Could it have been connected to the bond?”
Madam Bones crossed her arms.
“At this point, Mister Potter, that’s as good a theory as any.”
Once his statement concluded, Harry rejoined McGonagall.
Daphne was called next.
Then Hermione.
After them came Professor McGonagall.
Finally, Professor Snape provided his own testimony.
And throughout the entire process, the unconscious Headmaster remained motionless beneath the watchful eyes of healers, Aurors, and staff alike.
For the first time in many years, Albus Dumbledore was no longer the one in control.