"Now what is the meaning of this?" Fudge demanded once they got Potter back in the cell. He got two guards right by his side this time though. Snape being one of them.
Hermione looked at Ron expectantly feeling quite nervous now that they were in the court room, though they weren't put in a metal cage, but she sat uncomfortably on the big wooden chair with Ron by her side.
"When had to come here to talk about Harry before you put him into Azkaban, because I think there is something you haven't realized yet", Ron said.
"We have taken everything in consideration, Mr. Weasley. We wouldn't be the ones making decisions if we didn't", Fugde remarked. Oh, well now it was going to be really awkward for them. "I see that you're merely wasting our precious time."
"Please sir! You haven't even heard us yet. We came here to tell you that we don't think Harry has the right to be convicted for the crimes, because we don't believe Harry really did them himself", Hermione said quickly.
"What? Do you think there someone helping him commit the crimes?" Crouch interrupted with a great frown on his face.
"No. We actually believe that someone made Harry do them. And that someone was Lord Voldemort", Ron explained. The Ministry laughed.
"Do you take us for fools, Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley? Potter killed Lord Voldemort before he committed his crimes", Fudge said and stared at the two teenagers with an unbelieving smile.
"Sir, that's what we mean. We think that Voldemort transferred himself into Harry after being killed. Just like with the horcruxes. So he stayed alive in that way and then made Harry commit all those horrible crimes. Harry wasn't in control. Voldemort was", Hermione spoke up, gripping the armrests tightly so that her knuckles turned white.
"That is absurd! We can mostly deliberate on Potter having a mental trauma from the stress of having to defeat Voldemort which caused him a psychosis after he did kill him. But that won't change his sentence. Most wizards and witches who are in Azkaban are insane. Potter is nothing else", Fudge said.
"Ministry, may I have a word?"
"Oh, Dumbledore! Yes, what is on your mind?" Fudge asked, his voice much kinder and understanding than before.
"I think there is a chance that Potter could be possessed with Voldemort's spirit. It has happened before. Right in the Atrium actually if I recall correctly", Dumbledore told them and came in better view from the dark doorway.
The Ministry began their mutterings once again. Hermione and Ron turned their gazes to their head master surprised.
"I reckon the Ministry should try exorcise Potter from Voldemort in case Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger happen to be right", Dumbledore suggested with a kind smile towards the baffled Fudge.
"Well... I suppose that wouldn't harm anybody. Fine. We shall see if Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger are correct. I do doubt it still. Potter has been gone for a year committing more horrible crimes. We can't just give him up now just because we suspect he is possessed by the Dark Lord, who is already dead, mind you", Fudge stated with a slight eye-roll that the Ministry couldn't see.
"Stranger things have happened back in the day too, Fudge", Dumbledore mumbled.
"It's settled then. We shall call an exorcist tomorrow to come and try cleanse Potter from the spirit of Dark Lord, but if nothing happens and Potter stays the same, he is to be committed to Azkaban to on the same day. But if something does occur, then Potter is to be re-evaluated by the Council the next day", Fudge decided.
Dumbledore smiled to himself and so did Ron and Hermione. The old man patted Hermione's shoulder gently and so they exited the court room.
"Is it possible for us to see Harry tomorrow? It could possibly be the last time we see him", Hermione asked Dumbledore with a slightly shaky voice.
"I'm not sure about that Ms. Granger. It'll be dangerous, so the Ministry might not let you in. But never mind that." Dumbledore sighed and looked behind him before continuing. "I must tell you this. The Ministry has been trying to find Harry for a very long time and it has been embarrassing for the Ministry not being able to find a simple teenager. They want him in Azkaban so that they will get notoriety of being strong and invincible. It's possible that even if they find out that Harry is possessed, they might not do anything about it, but send him straight to prison."
Ron and Hermione looked absolutely stunned. They couldn't believe the Ministry could be this mischievous. Guess you can't trust anyone but yourself.
"If you really want to see him, you'll have to be sneaky. They will exorcise him in the Department of Mysteries. Remember you can apparate in the Atrium only", Dumbledore said with a smirk before leaving.
Ron and Hermione stayed and watched him disappear into the dark hallways. They looked at each other with bewildered faces which then turned into expressions of determination and excitement.
"Let's go, Ron", Hermione said and took his hand and so they got going.