Chapter 17 - Ran out of Tricks
"For the innocent, the past may hold a reward, but for the treacherous it's only a matter of time before the past delivers what they truly deserve."
― Emily Thorne
Hermione barely got two hours of sleep after her long night before it was time to wake up and get ready for another long day. However it wasn't lack of sleep that made her quiet and nervous. What truly made her anxious was the day's events. Some of it might not go as planned and she didn't like the uncertainty. But she had no other choices. She said a silent prayer to her one true god and started to get ready. By the time she reached the common room, as expected she saw Harry waiting for her. He was quiet just like Hermione and they made their way to Professor McGonagall's office.
Harry was surprised to see Dumbledore there and he stood up with that irritating grandfatherly smile and that maddening twinkle in his eyes. Hermione who was not surprised said "Good Morning, Headmaster" in a polite tone. Dumbledore however ignored her with a wave of his hand and turned to Harry.
"Harry my boy. I am afraid we have gotten off to a bad start. All this is unnecessary. If you had just spoken to me about your doubts, I'd have cleared it all out. Your parents were great friends of mine after all. They wouldn't appreciate you doubting me like this"
Hermione hid her disgust with difficulty and turned to look at Harry. He saw his face lined with worry. She knew that he was worried about what Dumbledore said. Would his parents hate him for what he's doing? Is all this necessary. After all, Dumbledore was a highly respected wizard and conquered a Dark Lord before. She quickly intervened to stop Harry's thoughts from following this line of thought and said loudly to Dumbledore. "Sir, if you don't mind, I believe my parents will be waiting for us in Diagon Alley. They'll be worried if we don't arrive soon."
"Ofcourse, . You go on ahead and use the floo. I'll bring Harry along."
"Sir, I've never used the floo before. I'd please like you to show me how. "
Dumbledore was visibly irritated at not getting his desired few minutes to further manipulate Harry. But he quickly schooled his expression to fake kindness and stepped into the fireplace. He grabbed a handful of floo powder. "All you have to do throw the powder and state your destination clearly. Watch me now". He said Leaky Cauldron and dropped the floo powder and disappeared in a flash of green smoke.
Harry's mouth dropped and he turned to look at Hermione. Hermione took his hand and said quickly "Harry he's trying to manipulate you by using your parents. Do not listen to him"
"But he did know my parents Mia. That's what Hagrid said. What if they are disappointed in me for blaming their friend?"
"He is not the only one who knows your parents Harry"
"You say knows as in Present tense Mia. But they are… gone" here his voice broke and he looked down.
"Harry, trust me and finish the trial. We'll talk more after that"
Harry looked at her in confusion and bewildered eyes. His mind was traveling at the speed of light. But it was not possible. No Hermione must mean something else. If his parents were alive, they wouldn't have let him at Dursleys all these years. Maybe he had a distant relative or something. But how would Mia know. Wasn't she a muggleborn. Harry pushed these thoughts aside as he felt a headache coming. He would trust Mia. She hasn't given him a reason not to till now.
He went to the fireplace and picked up a handful of floo powder. He was about to throw it when Hermione stopped him. "Remember Harry, say Gringotts not Leaky Cauldron"
Harry nodded and did as he was told. Hermione followed after him and they both found themselves in a lobby area. Hermione took a brush from a stand near the fireplace and proceeded to dust the soot off Harry ignoring his protests. She dusted herself off and then rang a bell on the reception. Harry looked on as his suspicions rose. How did a muggleborn know all this? Is there a book on Gringotts that explains all these? His thoughts were pushed aside as a Goblin appeared out of thin air behind the reception desk.
He looked at them and recognition showed in his eyes as it landed on Harry. Harry also recognised the Goblin as Griphook, the goblin who first took Harry to his vault. However he kept silent as he was too anxious to speak.
Hermione addressed the goblin, "We are here for Albus Dumbledore's trial. I am Hermione Granger and I am escorting Harry James Potter to the trial". Harry turned to her in surprise. How could she be escorting him when she is 11 years old herself?
However the goblin does not seem to have any such doubts. He bowed low to Hermione and beckoned them to follow him. He proceeded down a lit corridor lined with doors. He reached the opposite wall where a grand door stood. He opened it with a knock and led back to let the pair in. The hall was circular with a podium in the center and tables arranged around it. Harry saw six goblins in a table conversing between themselves and looking into files. Harry entered his anxiety rising and followed Hermione to a table near the goblins and sat down on the table. The goblins stood up and bowed to Hermione and nodded at Harry before sitting down. At exactly 8 o'clock the doors opened and Dumbledore entered the hall. His eyes immediately landed on Harry and he started in his direction. But a goblin stopped him and showed him to his seat on the opposite side. Several other witches and wizards rushed in in official looking robes and took seats between Harry and Dumbledore.
Once everyone had been seated, a goblin from the table stood up and made his way to the Podium. He spoke in a clear, loud voice. "We are here today for the trial of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore for alleged crimes against the Noble and Ancient house of Potter and the breaking of wizarding law. We have in attendance the defendant Albus Dumbledore, who will be advocating for himself and we have the plaintiff Harry James Potter represented by Hermione Granger. We also have the wizarding ministry's Jury in attendance as they have agreed to join their trial with the one conducted by Gringotts. Both verdicts will be passed today owing to the plaintiff's age and the years he has suffered. This trial is being held in the Shuddha hall of Gringotts as per the plaintiff's request." At this Dumbledore's eyes widened but he kept quiet. The goblin continued "As some of you might be aware, the Shuddha hall is enchanted by goblins and allows only the truth to be spoken. Anything lies will be detected and the one who spoke it will be disciplined by the room's magic with increasing severity as the lies increase."
Harry was confused. He didn't remember requesting for such a room, but kept quiet as it was all the more better for him. This day was getting stranger by the minute for him.
The Goblin continued "The first charge against the accused is as follows. The will of James and Lily Potter has been sealed without any instruction from them by the accused at 7pm and reportedly even before their time of death which was at 9pm. Please provide your answers ."
"I'd like to see the Potter's death certificates which proves that I sealed the will before their deaths"
At this the ministry spokesperson stood up and said "We have been unable to access the potter family files from July 31st. Not even the Minister was able to access it. It appeared to have sealed itself"
"Ah, therefore you don't have any proof to support this claim of yours" said Dumbledore excitedly.
"But the question of why you sealed the wills still remains Dumbledore" the goblin said.
Dumbledore straightened himself and said "The potters were only 21 years old when they lost their lives. I didn't believe them to be mature enough to decide the fate of the Boy-Who-Lived. So I took the responsibility into my own hands" No magic came from the room to hit Dumbledore which proved that he was saying the truth.
Harry was fuming in anger besides Hermione but her hands holding his under the table calmed him. She stood up in her place and started to speak. But as expected she was interrupted by Dumbledore.
"I'd like to know with what authority is representing young Harry here. She is after all a child"
The goblin cast a disapproving look at the old man and said "Hermione is Harry's protector and god sister as per Harry's parents will". Harry fainted besides Hermione not able to take any more information that day.