Crimson Ink

Emerald Encrusted Epitaph

Last Time:

Mrs. Weasley sighed as she looked at the picture of Dumbledore, "You'll owe me for this, love." She said with a chilling smile ...

XXXXXXXXXX

"Ready?" Harry asked as he, Hermione and Sam finished dressing in some formal robes.

Hermione nodded shakily, "Honestly, I almost feel Gringotts works too fast, but yes." She said and sent Harry a nervous smile. They talked about things and thankfully Harry was willing to forgive her. Admittedly, she felt horrible about it and only felt worse as the reality sank in.

Sam hummed in thought, "I see what you mean. A lot has changed in less than two days ... do either of you want to see him beforehand?"

"Merlin no." A very unnerved Hermione gasped. "If you guys want to, that's your decision, but I can't. It's too much."

Harry sighed, "Yeah. Let's warn Professor McGonagall before we use this portkey." Harry said as he picked up a letter that was addressed to them. The letter, which was dropped off by Quirinus, had a Gringotts seal and came with a charmed wooden dragon figure. It was an invite to witness the execution of one Albus Dumbledore.

Waiting right outside of the entrance of the gryffindor dorm was a turban clad Quirinus looked at them, "Y-You all k-know you don't have t-to go, r-right?" He asked purely for Hermione's benefit. When no one answered the group went down the halls and up to what was Dumbledore's former office. When they went in they found Minerva McGonagall behind the desk. "W-we wanted t-to tell you that we're g-going to the execution."

"What?!" Minerva's head shot up out of the papers she was skimming through and stared at the three students. "I do not-"

"As long as you understand what you will see then that's fine. Take care." The sorting hat yelled effectively cutting Minerva off.

Minerva's jaw dropped, but since the witch and wizards already left so she focused her rage on the hat, "You can't be ok with letting our students go to that!" Minerva snapped at the sorting hat who was now free from his glass case.

The sorting hat scoffed, "Of course not. Who would want someone to watch a person dying by dragon fire? Unfortunately, Sam, Harry and Hermione are adults and they have a right to leave. As much as you love controlling your students like pawns-"

I do not! How dare you imply such a thing!" Minerva exclaimed, deeply offended especially after the goblins discovered potions in most of the staff save for Severus, who was too skilled in potions to be controlled that way.

"Oh really?" The hat grumbled. "I know just from the one time I've been in every child's head that most of the students on the quidditch team, at any year, did not want to be there. Can you really think of one person you didn't have to persuade to play your bone breaking game?" Minerva was left floundering for an answer. "A terrible trend of leaders for this school."

"Maybe you should be the headmaster if you think you can do better!" Minerva snapped. She wasn't serious. It was a joke more than anything. It's not like the hat could take that title.

The sorting hat's ribbon tapped its rim in thought, "You know what. I accept!" Much to Minerva's shock the hat glowed and the headmaster desk booted her out. The chair turned into a proper hat perch and the hat was politely floated over by some magic from Hogwarts itself. "I have been a part of this school since the beginning so it's about time I took care of it ... I'll start with new staff members. I never liked how few teachers there were for the students we have and I bet Severus would like a chance to leave. He never liked teaching and right now his rather harsh style isn't what these kids need."