A/N: Summer is such a hard time to write. There is so much going on at home as well as work. I've got no excuse for not updating this chapter. It's literally been sitting on my laptop for weeks now, yet I have had not time or energy to update. I hate leaving you all waiting, though, so I finally convinced myself to sit down and write/edit this chapter.
This chapter also stumped me for a while because I was not sure if I wanted it to end where it did. But screw it, I can't come up with anything else at the moment for the chapter. Late, but here it is. Sorry again for the long wait for you all.
Chapter 12 Mishearing
-Morning of the hearing-
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed waking with a start and coughing. He glared at his unrepentant godfather.
"Sorry pup." Sirius replied not looking all that apologetic, especially with an empty bucket in his hand.
Harry glared from the wet patch on his bed, he was thoroughly drenched and was not feeling very forgiving being woken up in this manner. He grabbed his glasses and angrily shoved them on his face and glancing at the wall where a clock lay.
He cursed flopping back down on his bed, it was only five in the morning. Why did he have to get up so early in the morning? The hearing, that was a load of hippogriff shit, was a waste of time to him. He never did anything, so he didn't see why he had to go to this hearing. He wasn't anywhere near the area nor did he do any magic.
Harry angrily stomped down the stairs, though he was careful to be quiet in his angry stomping, he didn't want to wake anyone up this early, especially the babies. No matter how poor a mood he was in, that didn't mean that he wanted to get on the wrong side of anyone in the house because he woke them up early.
Harry moodily walked into the dinning room, his anger having mostly dissapperated on the stairs, now he was just weary that he would have to go through this. He saw that Sirius as well as Remus were waiting for him at the table.
"Here." Remus said gently handing Harry a steaming cup of tea to help wake him up. He sipped it blearily, still half asleep despite the rush of anger earlier.
"Thanks." He mumbled accepting the cup.
"Here, figured you would come down in your pajamas still. Dress robes, nothing fancy, just a bit more appropriate for being in the ministry and going to a hearing. Your muggle clothing will not make a good impression." Sirius said handing fresh laundered robes to Harry.
They weren't bad, a bit of a nicer fabric than everyday robes, but simple. They were a plain dark blue, almost black. Harry nodded and accepted the robes, he would get changed after grabbing a quick bite.
He actually liked wearing robes sometimes, while muggle clothes were easier sometimes, he like the feeling of belonging when he wore robes. It made he feel that he was actually part of the wizarding world.
He grabbed a bit of toast and some rashes of bacon that were laid out. He would have to thank Kreacher latter for making breakfast so early. Cooking was one of the few things the elf was good at surprisingly, that and directing Dobby and Winky around the house. Both elves were young though and loved being accepted and having a direction. Kreacher just liked being head elf again.
"You okay?" Remus asked concerned looking at Harry.
"I know that nothing will stick, I didn't even preform any magic. Just having to go through this is frustrating." Harry admitted with a sigh looking down at his plate.
"I wish I could say this would be simple. That it wouldn't be more than a meeting with Amelia, and maybe some other repetitive. Unfortunately, after what Emma and Percy were telling us about, it seems we are going to face more. We'll get through the trial, you won't go through this alone." Sirius told Harry.
Harry hadn't felt to reassured at the beginning of Sirius' little speech, but he was starting to towards the end. The knowledge that Sirius wouldn't let Harry go through this alone was comforting.
"Just remember to keep control of your temper, try and let Sirius handle things." Remus cautioned.
Harry gave a light chuckle and nodded. He would be to nervous and most likely say the wrong thing.
"Go get dressed, we should be leaving in a minute, don't want any nasty surprises, Emma told me the other night that there will be a high chance that they will change the time of the hearing."
Frowning, Harry nodded and quickly finished his breakfast and rushed back upstairs to change. The creak of a door caused him to pause on the second landing.
"Draco," Harry said softly looking at his boyfriend who was rubbing his face sleepily. Harry smiled, the other boy looked cute all disgruntled and half asleep.
"Good, your planning on wearing robes. It will make a better impression." Draco groused shuffling over to Harry and inspecting the robes he was holding and giving an approving nod.
"It's early, why are you up?" Harry questioned quietly as he went over to hug Draco. He sighed happily as the other boy wrapped his arms around him. He laid his head down on Draco's shoulder, taking comfort in his presence.
"Wanted to wish you luck, heard you come down earlier." Draco replied causing harry to smile up at him.
"Thanks." Harry said leaning up and placing a kiss on Draco's lips. Harry smiled at the surprised and then happy look that Draco sported after the kiss.
Harry stepped out of the floo and moved out of the way for Sirius to come through. He looked around the ministry remembering the last time he was here for Sirius' trial. He really hoped that this didn't become a habit, only showing up at the ministry when one of them was in trouble. Not that he wanted to be at the ministry that often.
"You really suck at going through the floo don't you?" Sirius asked stepping besides Harry and looking his godson over. Harry glanced down at himself and saw that he was covered in soot. He grimaced, at least it was not as much as was usually found on him. It wasn't his fault he hadn't grown up using the floo, he didn't know why it was that he attracted so much soot on him.
"Even the floo charms I placed on the robes didn't work very well." Sirius grumbled unhappily before waving his wand and vanishing the soot.
"You placed charms on me and I still ended up like this?" Harry exclaimed shocked.
"We need to practice your floo travel." Sirius said looking thoughtful ignoring Harry's comment.
"Can't we just stick to brooms or apperating if we really need to?" Harry pleaded. He really disliked floo travel, it always made him nauseous. Not that apperating didn't, but floo travel seemed worse to him.
"Sorry pup, some things are just better to floo to, and it's less risky." Sirius told harry as they made their way to the visitors check in.
Harry sighed as they walked down the large hall. The dark wood flashing green every so often as the various floo gates flared to life and another witch or wizard stepped through on the left or were leaving on the right.
They got to the security desk and registered their wands. The tired looking wizard sitting at the desk wearily got up and passed a gold rod and passed it up and down both their fronts and backs before asking for their wands. He put their wands on something that looked like a scale and a piece of parchment with all the specifics of the wands.
"I'll keep these." The wizard told them before thrusting their wands back at them. Sirius gave an unimpressed look at the wizard and took their wands back. Steering Harry away from the desk Sirius shook his head.
Harry looked around as they continued in, heading towards the large lifts at the end of the hall. There were at least 20 of them, and despite the early morning, there were plenty of people going back and forth entering the lifts.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked Sirius as they joined the crowd near the lifts, a wizard standing near them was holding a large cardboard box. Harry stared at the box unable to help himself as strange noises began to come from it. It kind of sounded like a chicken, but the smoke coming from the box made Harry unsure.
A lift appeared in front of them, and they entered along with many of the other people waiting. Harry made sure to stay close to his godfather as they were jostled back and forth by the crush of people. Harry felt Sirius' firm hand rest on his shoulder keeping him close. He could see from the corner of his eyes that many on the lift had started to pay attention to them and were looking at the both of them. He resolutely kept his eyes averted.
After a while the lift came to a stop. "Level seven, Department of magical games and sports, incorporating the British and Irish quidditch league headquarters, official Gobstones club and ludicrous patents office."
"Hmm, got to remember to send Fred and George at some point to the ministry. They really should register their products at the patent office. You have any idea if any of their products are registered yet?" Sirius asked Harry looking thoughtful as he glanced at the lift entrance.
Not sure." Harry said with a shrug. "They've stuck to smaller things so far. I think this is the first time they've really started to work on producing anything in large quantities. I know they were working on developing things last year."
"I suppose, but they have started to make products, best they get them registered." Sirius said.
Harry nodded as he looked into the hallway. It really had a quidditch feeling to it, untidy looking, and posters all along the wall with various quidditch teams that were in the league. A wizard in the lift with an armful of broomsticks struggled to exit the lift and hurried into the department.
Once he had left the lift shuddered again and moved on.
"Level six, department of magical transportation, incorporating the floo network authority, broom regulatory control, portkey office and apperation test center."
There were more witches and wizards that exited the lift this time, Harry also noticed several paper aeroplanes enter the lift as well, he had noticed several last time but had forgotten to ask about them.
"Sirius?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you have any idea what the planes are for?" Harry asked curious.
"They're used for interdepartmental memos. Used to use owls, terribly messy around the offices they were." A voice spoke up from behind them. "John Smith, ever so nice to meet you Mister Potter." The man said extending a hand.
Harry looked at the man in befuddlement before remembering himself and shaking the offered hand.
"Aren't those unspeakable robes? Should you really be telling us your name?" Sirius asked looking over at the man.
"I hardly think it matters. After all, its not like John Smith is my real name." The man said with a smile.
Harry couldn't help himself, this man was much friendlier than the previous Unspeakables he had meet so far. There was just something about this man that seemed friendly and decent.
"Any chance you could give me a hint on what you work on?" Harry asked cheekily with a smile.
The other man grinned pushing the glasses up on his nose. "Can't say anything, not really. Though, I think I did hear about a friend of yours that had a nifty little necklace that I pride myself on working on, a few years ago." Smith replied with a wink.
"Level five, Department of International Magical Co-Operation, incorporating the international magical trading standards body, the international magical office of law and the international confederation of wizards, British seats."
"Oh, looks like that's my stop, gotta run." Smith replied smiling at the two of them. With a wave he strode off. He moved so fast out of the lift that his robes lifted up and Harry could see the muggle suit he was wearing under his unspeakable clothes, a pinstriped suit, and oddly paired with them were a pair of red converse shoes.
"He seems…"
"Odd?" Harry finished for Sirius with a smile. "I liked him."
They continued on the lift until they reached level two, the Department for Magical Law Enforcement. They were to meet Amelia Bones here before the trial.
"I thought we were underground?" Harry asked as they walked down the hall. They had just passed a window with sunlight streaming through.
"It is, but it is extremely depressing to be underground with no sunlight all day every day. The windows are enchanted, someone around here I assume decides what the weather will be like for the day." Sirius explained as they were walking along.
Harry nodded as he watched Sirius peer at the name plates on the wall trying to figure out where Amelia Bones' office was.
"Harry?!"
Harry and Sirius both stopped at the sound of his name. Harry was slightly surprised to see Mr. Weasley who had just rounded the corner and seen them.
"Harry! Err…Lord Black… nice to see you." Mr. Weasley greeted them, obviously unsure about how to address Sirius.
"Sirius is fine Arthur." Sirius said with a smile.
"Ah, yes. So glad I got to see you today Harry, was worried what with the trail going on. What brings the two of you up here? Is this where it's supposed to be?"
Sirius was just about to answer him when Amelia Bones rushed out of the doors marked Department of Magical Law Enforcement, right across the hall from the Aurors offices.
"Sirius, thank goodness you're already here. I was worried this might happen, they've changed the venue and time for the hearing." Amelia rushed to explain.
"Merlin's Balls, I was really hoping that this wouldn't happen." Sirius cursed. "When is it?"
"8 o'clock, they sent out a memo only 15 minutes ago. Courtroom 10."
"Courtroom 10?!" Sirius and Arthur exclaimed shocked.
"Whatever for?"
"Fudge has turned it into a full Wizengamot hearing." Amelia told them face grave.
"I'm glad we got here early, we've got over an hour before it starts. Best make our way down there now." Sirius said with a sigh.
"I'll go with you." Amelia told them. "Weasley, was there something you needed?"
"Oh, err no. Just dropping off a report to the Aurors, saw Harry hear, his friends are awfully worried about him." Arthur replied looking a little flustered at being addressed so suddenly.
"Ah, that's right, some of your younger children are friends with Harry are they not?" Amelia commented.
"Yes."
"Charlie the second oldest is actually seeing Emma, been going out for a year now." Sirius said with a smile.
"That young woman you took on as your ward, correct?" Amelia mused. "How is that going, I heard the boy was working in the Dragon Reserves in Romania."
"Very well from my impression. She goes to visit him quiet often, takes full advantage of my vaults to travel over there during the year. Though he makes his way to London a few times, he was here just a few days ago, not sure if he is still in town or not." Sirius replied.
"Charlie was here?" Mr. Weasley said clearly shocked, having not heard from his son. He clearly hadn't even known that Charlie was back in the country.
"The boys didn't tell you?" Sirius asked feigning shock. Harry knew that Charlie was unsure about seeing his parents while he was here, a reason why he hadn't mentioned being home. Sirius was just causing trouble by telling Mr. Weasley this. He knew that as soon as this got back to Mrs. Weasley there would be another row in the house.
But he was tired of the two hiding the visits. He knew Charlie missed his family when he visited, but didn't feel comfortable, especially recently, and with how his mother disliked Emma, to see them while he was in London.
"The boys?" Mr. Weasley asked confused.
"Pretty sure that most of your children have been to see Charlie, probably only Ginny and Ron from my understanding haven't seen him. But from what I hear, that's just because Molly won't let them out of the house." Sirius replied.
"I'm staying out of this, I'll meet you down in the courtrooms Harry dear." Amelia told him clearly seeing that the conversation between Sirius and Arthur was going to last a while longer. "Don't let these two talk for too long."
"Of course, Madame Bones." Harry replied.
"Where has Charlie been staying?" Mr. Weasley asked. "Molly and I haven't felt the wards go off at the Burrow. Is he staying with you?"
"He stays sometimes with us, but right now I believe he is staying with Percy. Charlie and Emma have been quite worried about him these last few weeks and from what I understand he's taken some time off to stay with his brother. The others have been round visiting them."
Mr. Weasley blinked in surprise. Bill was out often working so he could understand him taking a little time out to visit his two brothers, especially since his attitude towards Percy seems to have shifted recently. But the Twins have only been out of the townhouse a few times, he had no idea that they had gone to see Percy.
"I…How is he?" Mr. Weasley asked hesitantly referring to Percy, worry clear in his tone. "He wont talk to me at work."
"He's feeling alone and isolated from his family. Its been better since Charlie came and the others have visited." Sirius replied a hard look in his eyes. "And why do you think he wont talk to you? he's clearly learned by now that you are only hearing him, not actually listening and taking in what he is saying. Trust me, there is a big difference. I know from experience."
The harsh tone Sirius held made Mr. Weasley back up in surprise. Harry gulped. He knew that things were tense in the Weasley household, and he knew that it wasn't as bad as Sirius' situation had been. But he could tell now that Sirius was finding connections between his experiences and what Percy was going through. He had no idea that Sirius had started to see the situation this way.
"Do try and make sure that you don't end up pushing him completely away. Come Harry, we have to be going." Sirius said steering Harry away and towards the lifts. Leaving Mr. Weasley alone to think about Sirius' words.
Harry and Sirius entered the dimly lit courtroom, much to Harry's displeasure, and he was sure Sirius', the courtroom was the same one that his trial had been held in. It wasn't as filled as it had been during Sirius' trial, most likely because his was not a public trial. He could see people milling about and starting to take their seats.
"Merlin, it really is a full hearing." Sirius breathed out.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, I see you received notice that the time had been changed." Fudge said coming up.
He seemed both displeased to see Harry and nervous at the same time, glancing worriedly at Sirius as he came up.
"You were almost late."
"Well, we didn't exactly receive the owl concerning the change in time. Luckily we thought to be at the ministry early and were told of the time change." Sirius replied haughtily using what Harry liked to call his pureblood voice. "And would you look at the time," he said pulling out a pocket watch, "10 minutes to spare."
Harry could see the sweat drop down the side of Fudge's face. Harry could tell that he was still nervous about dealing with Sirius given the ministry's past relationship with his godfather. The Minister really didn't want to get on Sirius' bad side if he could help it.
"Since we are all here, why don't we get started." Amelia stated gesturing for everyone to take their seats.
"Ah, yes, I suppose that we can start. We were potentially waiting for one more, but since the main party is hear we can begin." Fudge said sounding a tad more chipper to Harry.
"Oh?" Sirius spoke up interested.
"Err yes, while no longer Chief Warlock, Dumbledore did send notice that he was going to be here today. I believe it was for speaking in young mister Potter's defense." Fudge stammered. Harry was kind of pleased that Sirius being here was throwing the minister off so much.
"I was unaware that any decision like that had been made." Sirius said with a frown. "However, there is no need to wait for the Dumbledore. Considering that I am Harry Potter's guardian, I will speak in representation of my underage ward."
"Oh well that is…"
"Accepted, let us begin." Amelia Bones interrupted before Fudge could put his foot in his mouth.
Looking chagrin, Fudge nodded and went back to the stands. By this point all the Wizengamot members were seated and waiting. The elaborate silver W standing out in the dim room against their plum robes.
Harry and Sirius moved to the center of the room where a bench was placed for the to sit on. He was just thankful it wasn't the scary looking chair.
"As we are ready to begin, scribe?" Fudge began.
"Ready." Harry looked over to the end of the front bench where Percy was poised eyes fixed on the parchment in front of him a quill ready besides him. Percy chanced a quick glance up and sent a reassuring smile to Harry. Harry was glad for some extra support.
"Disciplinary hearing of the 8th of August, in regards to the following offences committed by Harry James Potter. Violation of restrictions under the Decree for the reasonable restriction of underage sorcery and the international statute of secrecy. Accused residence is stated as number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Area of residence is stated as being the area offence occurred in." Fudge began reading from a list in front of him.
"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley—"
"Witness for the defense, Albus Percival—"
"DENNIED!" Fudge shouted suddenly cutting Dumbledore off whom Harry had not notice come in. Harry almost wanted to laugh at Fudge's comical expression as he leaned forward and stopped Dumbledore from speaking.
Harry looked over at Sirius and saw that he was trying not to laugh also. Dumbledore's confused expression at being cut off seemed to please Fudge.
"Lord Sirius Orion Black is speaking in the defense of Harry James Potter, Albus Dumbledore speaking in defense is not needed. Though you are welcome to sit in and observe." Amelia Bones stated seemingly eager to get the trial going.
Dumbledore merely nodded and sat down in one of the benches off to the side. He looked a little perturbed to not be able to speak for Harry but went with what Madame Bones decided. Some of the Wizengamot members looked annoyed to still have Dumbledore there, others greeted the man with a wave.
After that, Harry refrained from looking over at Dumbledore. He got a lot of mixed emotions concerning the headmaster. While on one hand he respected the man, he was also cross at him for telling his friends not to contact him and refusing him information. It didn't help that the headmaster seemed to be speaking for him lately, Harry was starting to get worried about the Prophet articles that he would sometimes see, he didn't know how people would react when he got back to school.
He had been very firm last year in not mentioning that Voldemort came back, just that he had been kidnapped because he knew it would not go over well with the minister and that Sirius and the others were working on the problem.
"Can we continue Minister?" Madame Bones asked.
"Ah, yes. The charges are as follows:
"The accused did knowingly and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, due to the previous warning from the ministry of magic being received on a previous offence, produce a patronus charm in a muggle populated area, in the presence of two muggles, on the 2nd of August at 23 past 5. This offence violates paragraph C of the decree for the reasonable restriction of underage sorcery, 1875, and section 13 of the international confederation of warlocks statute of secrecy."
"You are Harry James Potter, living at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" Fudge asked looking at Harry as he peered up from his parchment.
"No."
"You—No?" Fudge questioned confused.
"I no longer live at number four Privet Drive. I haven't since the end of June." Harry responded confidently.
"Then where do you live?" Fudge asked as mummers broke out in the Wizengamot.
"My godfather Sirius Black filed and gained custody over me in June. my guardian was changed to him, and I began living with him and his family as of the end of June at the Black London residence." Harry explained.
"I can verify this. I processed the paperwork myself." Amelia Bones announced.
"You did?"
"Why did we never hear of this?" a sickly-sweet voice asked. Harry could only assume that it came from the Umbridge lady who was also an interrogator for him.
"It was requested that the files be secured and sealed given Harry Potter's status in the wizarding world. Which has not changed since it was moved 14 years ago that his residence be a protected fact. The request was filed with the DMLE and the paperwork is available for the Minister to observe." Madame Bones told the Wizengamot.
"Continuing on, you received an official warning three years ago concerning using magic?"
"Done by a rouge house-elf attempting to stop me from going to school, but yes. I would have appreciated some follow up at the time from the ministry. My muggle relatives are extremely anti-magic. They starved and locked me in the spare bedroom with bars on my windows for that." Harry replied firmly barely taking a breath, so he would be able to continue speaking. Fudge looked like he wanted to interrupt him.
Harry surprised himself, he hadn't expected himself to be so ready to share those facts about his previous home life. It was a sore subject for him, and the only ones he had really opened up to were his family. But he hoped that some of those facts would help his case.
Sirius cleared his throat beside him. Looking to the side Harry could see him minutely shake his head.
"The house elf issue has been dealt with. It is not a concern. Though I do wonder on the Ministry's policy for follow up when magic has been used in a muggle area. From what I am hearing, Harry did not receive any contact in person from any sort of official." Sirius mused much to the chagrin of many of the ministry workers.
"We cannot see to every instance of magic used in the muggle area." A Wizengamot member from the stands protested.
Fudge shushed the person eager to get on with the hearing. He glared down at his papers and went back to reading off his list.
"Knowing the illegality of using magic outside of school, you conjured a patronus on the second of august, did you not?" Fudge inquired.
"No—"
"Knowing that…" Fudge stopped and blinked looking up at Harry from his papers. "No?"
"I was not the one to conjure a patronus that night. I haven't done so since the third task." Harry responded. He glanced over at Sirius to see if he should continue.
Standing up Sirius addressed the Wizengamot. "As we stated earlier, Harry no longer lives with his muggle relatives, making it very hard for him to be in the area producing magic. In fact, that evening Harry had been in fact visiting a friend for the day and was supervised the entire time."
"And who was this friend Mr. Potter was visiting?" Fudge asked clearly irritated that the hearing was not going as he expected.
"Augusta and Neville Longbottom. He goes there often to visit and receives some lessons over the summer from Augusta." Sirius explained. "They were both in the room with him when they letter from the ministry arrived."
"ah—"
"I can verify that claim. I know for a fact that Mr. Potter visits my sister and great-nephew often. They were quite confused about the letter." A voice from the crowd spoke up. Harry could see Neville's great uncle Algie in the benches.
"I see." Fudge responded dryly.
"The way I see it, since my ward was nowhere near the area when the event occurred, and has witnesses that place him elsewhere, this hearing is unnecessary and finished." Sirius stated.
"Approved." Amelia Bones announced. "Let the Wizengamot vote, is Mr. Potter cleared of all charges, or will this hearing continue and be further looked into?"
Harry looked around the room, a little surprised that things had wrapped up so fast.
"Cleared of all charges?"
Around the room hands went up, over half of the Wizengamot members raised their hands signaling that they voted for the hearing to be done.
People started to get up when suddenly Sirius cleared his throat. The room got quiet as they began to notice him standing.
"I would like to address one thing before we all leave. While Harry did not produce the patronus it remains that someone did and for a reason. Harry went to go check on his muggle relative after receiving the warning." Sirius said in a stern and solemn voice.
"What exactly are you trying to say Lord Black?" Umbridge asked.
"Dementors."
"Preposterous, dementors, in Little Whinging? It's a muggle area. Why would they be there?" Fudge blustered. "Besides, you have no proof the creatures were there—"
"We do actually. Considering when Harry went to check on his family he found out that the muggle who had been in the presence of magic, his cousin, had in fact been kissed earlier. I would like to know why dementors are not at Azkaban guarding the prison and instead are attacking muggles." Sirius said harshly glaring at the room.
Shocked whispers broke out around the room as Fudge paled.
"I think that instead of questioning 15-year-old boys, you should be checking your departments and see how something like this was possible." With that parting remark Sirius took Harry by the shoulder and swept from the room.
Harry could feel plenty of glares at their backs as the left. But he didn't really care at this point. He was cleared of all charges and Sirius had just been really awesome in defending him. It felt good to have someone reliable to count on and not have to worry about taking care of himself.
