Knocking on the room's window slowly brought Harry out of his sleep and made him glance about confused at first. He slowly looked around as he started to remember all that had happened the day before. Shaking his head for a moment and seeing Hedwig at the window. Harry quickly opened the window for the owl and let her land to stick out her leg at him. He noticed the letter and quickly released her from it and smiled.
"Rest Hedwig, and thank you for your service." Harry said smiling. He watched as she flew to her travel cage and perched on top of it. She looked at Harry slowly blinking her large yellow eyes before ducking her head under her wing to sleep. Harry chuckled softly before slowly opening the letter. He scanned it and shook his head before preparing for the day.
He headed down into the inn proper but decided to head straight into the muggle world instead of getting some food inside the leaky cauldron. Once on charingcross road he glanced about and smiled seeing all the people wandering about. He walked across the street and glanced about. He needed to get to a department store to buy the clothing he was interested in. He frowned then just started to walk in a random direction.
A few blocks later her found a mall making him grin happily. He quickly slipped into the mall which was fairly empty at the moment having only just started to open up. He took a slow breath and glanced around for a directory for the building. He wanted to hopefully finish the shopping before a lunch rush began. He double checked the amount of Muggle money he had on him and frowned lightly. He would need to make sure not to go too high-end or he would be unable to get that much but maybe a single high-end pair of jeans and one shirt would be a good thing.
He found the directory and glanced over it before heading towards one of the closer non-high-end clothing shops. He only had 500 to spend and he wanted all the basics in clothing. He frowned as he entered the first store and his nose was assaulted by the scents of hundreds of different perfumes. Harry's eyes darkened with his annoyance as he quickly moved through the makeup and perfume section, wanting out of the area and towards the clothes.
He glared back behind him at all the perfume once he was past it. He then shook his head wondering how many asthmatics had issues entering and exiting these stores with where they always placed the perfume sections. Shaking his head once more he moved towards the men's clothing. He took a slow breath and grabbed three sizes of shirts and three sizes of jeans that looked like they might fit before going to the change rooms. He would find his size before truly looking for what he wanted in clothing.
Once he had figured out his size he goes back to the clothing section and starts to looking first through the jeans grabbing 4 pair of decent jeans. He then walked over to the t-shirts and started to look for anything that caught his interest. He Walked through the shirts grabbing a couple plain shirts of varying dark colors. He paused at one shirt seeing bands of geometric patterning that seemed so familiar to him. One band across the chest and one on either sleeve. He stared at the shirt for a moment found his size and added it to his pile before walking away from the basic clothing.
He turned and again looked around. He was not used to being within a muggle clothing store, primarily due to his aunt and uncle never wanting him brought in one to show the difference in how they treated him and his cousin. He shook his head clearing it of thoughts dealing with his family and moved to the end of the men's section where underclothing was kept. He frowned at the many options being unsure which he would feel the best with since he had refused to wear the hand downs his family deemed right to give him before. He huffed and grabbed a few options that looked comfortable before grabbing a few sets of socks and walking to the cashiers. He watched as the girl behind the cash register rung up his purchase and he paid quickly.
He walked out of the store carrying his bags and frowned. He had spent nearly 300 pounds on the clothing within that one store. He glanced around the mall once more as it was obviously starting to get busier than it had been earlier. He grumbled wishing to be around less but still relieved none of the people would be staring at him for his scar since he was on the muggle side. He then went back to the directory and frowned staring at it. He wanted at least one set of more expensive pants and top and maybe something from the food court before he returned to the leaky cauldron and to the magical world.
Harry shrugged and walked up to the food court looking around. He'd never been able to have any of the foods that were around the food court and the temptation to try something was almost overwhelming and the fact he had skipped breakfast this seemed like a good option for food. He started to walk around the food court looking for something interesting. He ignored the burger stores. Remembering his uncle and cousin going on about them and shuddered at the thought of possibly enjoying them.
Finally, he pauses glancing back and forth between two shops. One was a Greek-style food store the other was a Donair shop. Harry glanced back and forth between them being very curious about both having never heard his family mention these. Finally, he got a donair and moved to sit and eat. He happily ate the very different food and enjoyed it quite a bit, before cleaning the mess after him and leaving the food court once more. He smiled happily with the taste of the food as he looked around for a store specializing in jeans.
He walked in and quickly moved to the men's section looking through the much heavier and durable jeans. He smiled and looked at the sizes only to blink in surprise. The size listing in here was much different from the last store he had entered. He sighed realizing he will have to try on a few pairs to figure out his size again. He quietly grumbled about the situation but did what was required before finding a set of jeans that properly fit paid for them and left. He found after his last purchase he still had just over 100 pounds so put the money away before heading back towards the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry walked into the Leaky Cauldron soon and smiled glad to enter the magic world once more. He moved passed the bar heading for the door that would take him to Diagon Alley's entrance when Tom spotted him.
"Mr. Potter hold up a moment please." Tom requested causing Harry to pause and walk over to the counter.
"Yes is there something I can do for you?" Harry asked with a bit of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Yes. There are two men that wished to speak to you. They are over at the table there." Tom said pointing out the two men in red robes. Harry blinked nodded to Tom then walked towards the two men.
"Excuse me, I heard you wished to speak with me?" Harry questioned softly causing the two to look up at Harry and nodded.
"Yes, we need you to come to the ministry, Mr. Potter. We are investigating all that happened yesterday and have been calling all witnesses into the ministry as we could.
"Impressive you are actually looking into things for a change." Harry said sarcasm dripping in his voice as the mark on his hand shimmered a bit, both men looked at Harry with a bland look at Harry's sarcasm. They stood and motioned Harry towards the fire.
"Come mister Potter you can tell us what we wish in the ministry." One stated calmly. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes but followed the men over to the fire.
"So what is the exact address I will be calling? The only time I've really used the Floo I have ended up in the completely wrong place." Harry stated.
"The address is Ministry of Magic Atrium." One stated and watched as Harry nodded obviously thinking the idea over before moving forward. One tosses the floo powder in states the destination and goes through. The next motions Harry to do so first.
"Oh, nice way to make it feel like someone is a criminal instead of just being asked a few questions." Harry snarked at the man as he repeated what the man had done before him and walked through the fire. Harry stumbled out the other end and turned to glare at the fireplace as the man that had gone first chuckled at Harry's reaction to the form of travel. Harry turned his glare on the man as his partner stepped out into the atrium from the fire himself.
"Come with us now Mr. Potter. We will head down the DMLE and get the questions out of the way. Then you can head on your way." The first man said. Harry nodded and followed him to the elevators within the Ministry and sighed in boredom. He frowned in thought wondering if he could point out the corruption around him with a few choice questions and lines during his questioning.
They entered the DMLE offices and the man in the front opened a door motioning Harry into the room and a chair on one side of a small wooden table. Harry moved and sat then watched as the two men left. He blinked a bit in surprise having expected them to be the ones to question him. He groaned and leaned back in the chair while he waited.
10 minutes later the door opened again causing Harry to open his eyes and look at who was entering the room. He saw a stern looking tall woman and a man with a wild mane of hair. They moved into the two seats across from him and sat down slowly.
"Mr. Potter, I am Director of the DMLE Amelia Bones, the man next to me is head of the Aurors Rufus Scrimgeour. We are glad you have joined us." Amelia said as she leaned forward. Rufus meanwhile just glared at Harry.
"Well, your employees did give such a nice invitation." Harry said sarcastically causing Rufus to growl and lean forward trying to make his already powerful lion like visage appear even more intimidating. Amelia looked at Rufus then over to Harry and pinched the bridge of her nose a moment.
"Rufus don't he is not a suspect." Amelia snapped causing Rufus to stiffen a moment and glare slightly at Amelia.
"Still he doesn't have to be rude about our employees." Rufus growled. Amelia sighed again as Harry laughed a moment and shook his head.
"Well sorry if I didn't like feeling like I was a criminal with how they were treating me." Harry stated. Amelia shook her head again and muttered about Aurors needing more training then smiled at Harry.
"Well then let us get the reason for the request of you being here so you can return to whatever you were doing." Amelia stated as Rufus continued to glare. Harry nodded to Amelia and silently laughed thinking how well the two of them would do at good cop bad cop questioning.
"Of course ask away. I will answer to the best of my ability." Harry stated his voice almost monotone.
"Thank you. Where were you within Diagon Alley when the Dementors showed up?" Amelia asked.
"I had just left Flourish and Blotts." Harry stated. Amelia nodded a moment and smiled a bit.
"Okay, where were the dementors when you noticed them?" Amelia asked.
"They were close to the Leaky Cauldron entrance." Harry stated as the door to the room entered and a woman in a pink cardigan that looked a bit like a toad walked in and glanced around the room.
"Excuse me but Amelia dear there is no reason to look into the rogue Dementor attack that has already been dealt with." The woman said in a falsely sweet voice. Harry shuddered and looked at the woman his eyes narrowing a bit as he tried to hold back snarling at her.
"Under Secretary, this is my job and I will be finishing that." Amelia stated as the woman made a face as though she had been insulted.
"Amelia it's already been stated that this, boy, is an attention seeking fool." The woman said and slurred the word boy into an insult. Harry tightened his hands into a fist feeling his rage grow with her being here, and the things she was obviously suggesting.
"Where is your proof that I am an attention seeker Madam? I have never once willingly spoken with the press or anyone of high standing. I would enjoy it if you would all just ignore me." Harry growled angrily. The pink woman seemed to expand just like the toad she appeared to be.
"You found a way to enter a tournament meant for 17-year-olds when you were but 14. If that is not the sign of an attention seeker I don't know what is." The woman growled her face showing her anger her hand tightening on her wand.
"Madam, I was entered into that competition by a man who was pretending to be Mad-Eye Moody, and instead of questioning said man and finding out how he succeeded at doing such a thing your minister decided to have him immediately kissed by a dementor." Harry growled the symbol on the back of his hand glowing subtly.
"You should know not to lie child. It is not a good thing to do." The human toad stated here eyes narrowed at Harry. Harry frowned at the woman then looked at the other two before a slightly sinister smile appeared on his lips.
"Well, why don't we prove if I am lying or not. I volunteer to take veritaserum for this questioning and any questioning on my past." Harry stated causing both Amelia and Rufus to stiffen in shock.
"There is no point in wasting that potion on you." Umbridge growled at Amelia frowned again at her actions.
"Undersecretary this is a DMLE questioning on the rogue dementor event and so far his answers have matched with all the other witnesses. Now either let us finish or we can take you for interference in a DMLE investigation." Amelia growled and Harry blinked in surprise before sitting back a bit to watch what was happening.
"Fine Director, but since he requested let's have him dosed and see what we can learn." Umbridge growled thinking of ways to ruin Harry with the questioning.
"Are you sure you wish to go through with this Mr. Potter?" Amelia asked quietly causing Harry to sit up straight once more and nod.
"Yes Director Bones. I am positive. This way there can be no questions about if I am telling the truth or not." Harry stated as Rufus stood and walked out of the room for a few minutes. He walked back in carrying a small clear vial with a clear liquid within.
"This is your last chance to decide not to go through with this." Rufus said gruffly as Umbridge considered how to turn this to her advantage.
"I understand that. I accept I just ask you keep the questions to the incident and maybe my school years." Harry requested calmly. Amelia nodded and motioned Rufus to administer the potion to Harry. Rufus moved over next to Harry and looked at the boy.
"Open your mouth please." Rufus requested. Harry opened his mouth and tilted his head back a bit making it easier for the potion to be poured into his mouth. Rufus carefully tipped the vial and watched as three drops dropped into Harry's mouth when Umbridge coughed almost making the man drop the whole vial into Harry's mouth. He spun and glared at the woman relieved that he had not poured more than necessary into his mouth.
"Madam Umbridge." He growled rage flashing on his face. Harry's face during this becomes calm and slack in a way it had never been seen.
"What is your name?" Amelia asked the basic starting question of someone under the effect of veritaserum. Harry opened his mouth and shuddered violently. He began to shake more and more each time he opened his mouth. Amelia began to pale having never seen anything like this before and glanced and Rufus.
"Quickly go get an Unspeakable I don't know what's going on. Even someone allergic to that potion doesn't react like this!" She snapped and Rufus spun running out of the room as Amelia frowned wondering if another question would help or make this worse. Umbridge stared shocked at what is going on then frowned.
"When were you born?" She asked. Harry's head turning to face her the shuddering becoming worse.
"J.. J… F...Ju… Fi.." Harry begins to stutter the shuddering in his body getting worse as an Unspeakable charged in and sees Harry shuddering and struggling to say something. He pulls a vial out of his pocket and quickly forces the liquid in it down Harry's throat. Harry immediately went limp as the man looked at Amelia.
"What question caused this?" the person asked totally ignoring Delores as she sat there staring at Harry a bit. Amelia sighed and shook her head.
"I requested his name. Making sure the potion functioned." Amelia stated. The unspeakable blinked once then glanced at Harry and shook his head.
"He can never be given veratiserum. His soul is too old and to close to the surface." The unspeakable stated. Amelia frowned a bit confused by his words and Umbridge stood and moved towards the Unspeakable.
"As undersecretary to the Minister of Magic I demand you explain what happened clearly right now." the toad-like woman growled. The unspeakable looked at the woman with a frown and then shook his head.
"It is a subject we are not allowed to speak of beyond what I already have. So leave me alone Madam." He growled and forced his way passed the toad woman before leaving the room as Harry groaned.
"What happened I didn't think Veritaserum was supposed to make it feel like a hippogryph ran you over." Harry groaned. Amelia moved next to Harry and helped him sit up as Delores raced after the unspeakable still demanding he explain himself.
"It isn't. You had a reaction we had never seen before so had to call an unspeakable up to check on you." Amelia said. Harry frowned and rubbed at the back of his right hand again.
"I see what did he say?" Harry asked wondering what was making Amelia look so irritated.
"Mainly you cannot be administered veritaserum due to your soul being old or something like that." Amelia said calmly as she stood. Harry sighed and rubbed his face once more before standing.
"I guess we are finished here then?" Harry asked as he kept thinking about what he had just been told by Amelia.
"Yes, you may head back to the atrium and return to what you were doing." Harry nodded again and walked out of the room to the elevator to head back to the atrium. Harry rubbed the back of his neck as the people stared at him as he moved among them.