The Badger And The Snake; Phan/Harry Potter AU

Twenty-Three: The Interrogation.

"Put your wand on the ground, McGonagall."

"Shacklebolt?"

"That was not a wise move, Professor," said a deep, full voice. "Drop your wand and put your arms in the air. You too, boys."

The three criminals carefully placed their sticks on the ground and raised their hands. They turned around slowly, facing a tall black man who was accompanied by a young woman with a puffy face and large, curly hair, both pointing their wands at the captive.

McGonagall gasped at the sight of the woman, temporarily losing focus. "G-Granger?"

The young woman seemed to recognize her.

"Professor? What are you doing here?" She asked quizzically.

"No time for catching up," interrupted the first wizard. "Do as I say."

McGonagall obeyed, glancing back at the Granger woman, perhaps hoping that her former pupil would save her.

Dan glanced at Phil, who was sweating. As beads of liquid pooled on his pale forehead, Dan felt nervous for both of them. They hadn't thought that they weren't supposed to be here. They couldn't imagine the always-strict headmistress even thinking of breaking the rules.

The two wizards kept their wands pointed steadily at the captive.

They realized that McGonagall had Apparated to her office and soon they were being forced into small, wooden (rather uncomfortable) chairs.

"Merlin, what were you doing in there, Minerva?" Shacklebolt seemed to be deeply disappointed.

"Kingsley, I had to. You know why."

"So soon?"

"They're 14. They deserve to know. With Potter's death yesterda-"

The younger woman broke into tears, her wand shaking.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Granger."

Phil whispered in a voice that barely carried to Dan, "That's Hermione Granger. She was his best friend."

"You know only certain Unspeakables are allowed in there! You could have at least asked for permission. I'm honestly blown away. The last person you would think . . ." said Shacklebolt, shaking his head.

"I know, Kingsley. I hope you'll forgive me, work aside."

"I don't know, Minerva. I'm going to have to schedule your trial with the Wizengamot. And about these two . . ."

The pair glanced at each other again.

"Phil Lester, sir," breathed Phil, introducing himself. "And this is my . . . er, friend, Dan Howell."

"Okay, Mr. Lester. Can you tell me if you pair were dragged to the Time Room against or by your own free will?"

"Well, to be completely honest with you, sir, we didn't know where the headmistress was taking us until we got there, but we weren't kidnapped or anything, so . . ." He cursed himself for being so awkward.

"Interesting. What did Professor McGonagall show you while you were there?"

"A crystal ball with a prophesy concerning me," rasped Dan, his voice scratchy from all the crying and screaming he had been doing very often lately. "I don't think McGona - I mean, the headmistress was doing anything wrong. She said she had wanted to do it sooner but could never find the right time. And considering I'm going to die, I think right now is as good of a time as any."

Dan didn't know where this outburst of rebellion and anger at authority in general came from, but he felt lots of it right now. He wanted Kingsley and Granger to stop questioning the woman who was responsible for his sudden enlightenment.