A/N: Before we begin here I would just like to say that I'm so amazed at all the support this story has got, I never would have believed that I could have 30 favourites and 62 followers on this story, I would also like to especially thank the four people who have so far reviewed my story.
Chapter 4 Wizards, Witches and Human Rights
"Before you judge me...I plead guilty"
Harry's words reverberated through the courtroom generating murmurs of shock and amazement but to Harry Fudge's reaction was the best of all, the man's bowler had fallen off and he was wearing an expression of delighted surprise similar to the one on Snape's face at the beginning of his second year. Meanwhile Dumbledore was staring at Harry in amazement as he watched his plan shatter before his eyes.
Dumbledore was fuming in his chintz armchair as he stared at Harry, the wizengamot had dissolved into what he considered mindless drivel but Dumbledore was busy trying to save a situation that currently appeared to have gone from critical but stable to life support. He had only recently(as in the last few hours) heard that Harry had found out about the money he had siphoned off from the Potter accounts to the Weasleys and Hermione and the love potion and marriage contract he had arranged between Ginevra and Harry, now rather than him saving Harry from being expelled and Harry being grateful, Harry had chosen to throw caution to the winds and plead guilty. No one had pled guilty in a case like this for many years, mainly because to do so would be to automatically be expelled and have one's wand broken so even the easily proved cases usually had the defendant pleading not guilty. Fudge's voice broke through Dumbledore's thoughts saying "If the defendant wishes to stand by their plea of guilty?" With this Fudge looked at Harry who nodded, "then I move the Wizengamot to vote on the decision to snap the wand of Mr. Potter and expel him from Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"One moment, your honour" Harry smirked, his plan was only just beginning "I believe that when you decided to try me in an organisation that acts as both parliament and the judiciary there is no separation of powers, and with that no accountability. Therefore I challenge that the prosecution has failed to observe the right I have as a human under the Human Rights Act to due process." It was mayhem, perhaps even more mayhem than had erupted when Harry had first announced his guilty plea. Harry could clearly hear members arguing while Fudge and the toad in the second row looked thunderstruck, Harry looked around some more and noticed to very interesting expressions; Percy was winking at him and Dumbledore looked, much to Harry's great pleasure shocked and disappointed. Eventually, after about five minutes the woman who Harry remembered was named Amelia Bones called for order. She cut a very domineering figure Harry thought as he looked up at Madam Bones who waited for silence before saying "Court Scribe, does the defendant have the right to object to this trial as he was not given due process?" Harry looked around the room and saw all eyes trained on Percy, who took a deep breath and said "Madam Bones, as the Human Rights Act was agreed on by the Wizengamot as well as muggle authorities, yes he does" Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief, he had been pretty sure his plan would work, but you can never count on the Ministry caring about little things like human rights. Madam Bones was speaking again and Harry found himself listening "Mr. Potter will you accept terms of we drop all charges and pays you compensation of 2,000ģ?" Harry thought slowly, he didn't really care about the money he just wanted to make the Ministry and Wizengamot look bad, so he might as well just accept the 2,000ģ and leave. Harry came to a decision and nodded "I agree to your terms" Madam Bones clapped her hands and said "I declare the Wizengamot adjourned."
Harry stood outside the courtroom, waiting for Percy to emerge, he noticed members of the Wizengamot leaving while arguing in quiet but heated tones. Eventually Fudge made his way out of the court, and with a final glare at Harry, Fudge stalked off. Percy, who appeared from behind Fudge, smiled at Harry, "you did it!" Harry nodded "it was a risky plan, but it paid off in the end" Percy looked at him carefully before saying "well, if I was you Harry I would make my way to Diagon alley and book a room at the Leaky Cauldron" Harry nodded his head in assent "I'll do that Percy, I also want to check out the status of my vault; so I'll write to you soon, Adios mi amigo." With that Harry left the court and the ministry to return to the Muggle world.
A/N: And that's that. Sorry that this is shorter than usual but I like it finishing here. So I guess it's time for me to rant about how Rowling portrayed Percy in the 5th book. She has him up and leaving his family and I really just don't see Percy doing that. Sure, he was ambitious but he wasn't crazy. Therefore, in my opinion for Percy to do what he did there must have been another factor rather than Dumbledore.