Prime Flip-Flopping

*Pop!*

Harry and Hermione stumble slightly as they're deposited next to the Forbidden Forest by Blitzy, who immediately vanishes the next moment. Over in the distance the cheering and chanting on the Quidditch Pitch could still be heard, along with the players flying high and around the sky.

Harry curses under his breath while brushing himself off, unsure if Malfoy or his goons would squeal to Dumbledore... Probably not though, considering the rat had also used an Unforgivable Curse. Even with his wand snapped, all Harry would need to do to fuck both of them is give some memories and testify under veritaserum, at least, if the government didn't scheme on the Malfoy's behalf.

Thank god Blitzy could travel through the school's wards, otherwise he'd be up shit creek without a paddle... Regardless, there was nothing to be done about it now, Dumbledore would suspect him no doubt, but without evidence all he can do is posture and scheme.

Two can play at that game.

The sound of a stick breaking underfoot draws his attention to Hermione, who was seemingly trying to sneak away from him... "Leaving so soon?" he queries, stepping towards her.

She looks over her shoulder and frowns deeply at him, "As fast as possible... Away from you." she determinately states.

He tilts his head, "Why? Because I used an Unforgivable Curse? Because you don't understand how the world works? In case you haven't noticed, we're not in mundane Britain anymore."

"Y-you're evil! You didn't need to torture him! We-you, could have just stunned them and let the authorities deal with it! I don't care if you say they're corrupt, there has to be something holding this magical society together! And-, you slapped me! Threatened to torture me too!" she exclaims with tearful eyes, "T-that's not what friends do! I...-I can't believe I really thought..." she trails off, shaking her head. "Goodbye, Harry." she says before finally stomping off, leaving him alone at the tree line.

...

He had the sudden urge to drag her back and make her see, get it through her thick skull that she was being stupid. But he knew she was too stubborn, too willful, too 'hopeful'. He scowls and spits on the floor, removing some of the blood drawn from him biting his cheek during his time under the torture curse. "Sheep will follow the shepherd, even to their slaughter." he says, loud enough for the girl to hear as she departs.

----------------------

"So, what of them, Poppy?" Albus asks while looking forlornly at the three hospitalised Slytherin boys.

"Your suspicions were right, all three have heavy Cruciatus exposure. Their nerves and nervous system are all damaged, and they'll need a strict potion regiment if they ever want to recover truly. For now and depending on how they take to the treatment, they'll be feeling the aftereffects for years."

Dumbledore sighs sadly, "More incidents of 'shellshock', then?"

"Indeed... They'll have trouble casting spells with how their limbs tremble, I'm going to subscribe them to some small doses of local numbing salves which should hopefully give them some autonomy back." she looks at him, "These are only half-measures however, the best treatment is prevention, and I have no wish to be treating war-time injuries on students... Have you any leads on who is responsible?"

"I tried to speak to them during their lucidity, but none of three wishes to utter any names... I suspect there's more to the story given that Mr Goyle's wand was used to stun Argus. Perhaps a duel gone awry?"

"A duel involving the Cruciatus..." Pomfrey sighs, "Just what is this world coming to, with students unleashing the most brutal spells at each other in the confines of the school! This year especially is turning into an utter circus! More spell-related injuries, pranks, and even that troll, Albus! Please! Get a handle on things before they escalate any further!"

"I will do my best, Poppy. Let us just hope for now this is the worst of it."

----------------------

"It was obviously him!" Snape angrily says as he paces around Dumbledore's office. "Will you just allow him to strut around, casting vile curses without any consequences? He crippled one of my students!"

Albus sighs deeply down at his desk, "I am aware, Severus... But without proof we have no ability to act, not with my reputation already in shambles... A single incident may have me removed from my position completely, do you think the next Headmaster will be any less lenient?"

Snape scowls, "Then I will find proof myself while you dawdle like some lonely muggle armchair general!"

-----------------

"And your profits?" Kali asks the Strip club-now brothel owner with crossed arms.

"S-so far, two hundred thousand pounds gross, mistress. Including costs of running and paying the workers, we have a hundred and ten thousand..." the snivelling man says.

"Hm, it's low." she states, causing the man to blanch. They weren't even halfway through the year yet they'd already made as much as the previous year, while prostitution was indeed far riskier, the profits couldn't be denied...

"H-how much would you expect us to make, M-Mistress?"

"Three to four hundred thousand, plus political capital... Have you not been choosing your customer base properly?"

"W-what do you mean?"

Kali sighs and palms her face, "Half the reason to run illegal brothels is the blackmail we can accrue. The government won't shut us down if the politicians themselves would be implicated. To start, set aside half this year's profits to fund, say, Prime Minister John Mayor's political endeavours, under a different name of course, lobbying under a union of strip clubs is hardly what the Conservatives need right now... Once we have enough pull, invite him and his colleagues for a meeting, I'll be there to assure our success." she smiles maliciously, causing the man to swallow.

"Y-yes Mistress, I'll start working on it immediately!"

She nods firmly, "Good, I don't need to warn you of what might happen if you fail me." she grips his cheek, digging her nails into flesh and causing blood to run. With that final word, she turns into a bat and flies away, leaving the scared-looking man in her wake.