Disclaimer: Hahahahahaha!!!! I'm rich! I'm selling this story and there's nothing you can do about it! And if you try to stop me, I'll just wave the nickel in your face! Mwahahahahahaha!! *sees scary men ringing doorbell* Er… Did I say sell? I meant… Oh well, it stinks I can't sell this, by golly gee. Ok I'll stop rambling now… I'll bet no one even read this…
The _______s are found dead (not the Dursleys!), and Harry is the prime suspect, with strong evidence against him. He would be found innocent- if only he could remember where he was when the crime took place. Self-doubt, suspicion, and terror reign as the world turns upside down- for more than just Harry Potter.
Chapter 2
The Inquisition
"You have got to be kidding."
"Eh," the wizard looked confused. "Is that your final answer?" (A/N - Ok, ok, I know, I know, but it fit. :-D)
"I've been sleeping all night! I don't know what he's talking about!" Harry glared at Mr. Dursley for the first time since the wizards had arrived. He couldn't understand what was going on. And why wasn't his uncle going ballistic at the sight of all this abnormalcy? But then he saw the look in his eyes, and the first thought he had was 'He's been put under a spell. That's why he said all that'. The Ministry wizard, seeing where Harry's eyes went, told him- he was under Veritaserum.
"We tried to talk to him the normal way, but he started yelling at us and threatening us. We thought this might be safer, in," he hesitated, looking at Harry, "All cases."
This news shocked Harry. He couldn't believe it! His uncle was under Veritaserum, and- wait, did Veritaserum work on muggles? He voiced this question, and was told,
"Veritaserum works on anyone, but it is slightly diluted in a muggle's case. This is actually," the wizard looked slightly uncomfortable, "the first time we've used it on a muggle in a serious case. But in all tests, it worked properly."
This could just mean one thing. That Harry actually had been out of his bed early in the morning. But if that was true, then how? Why?
The wizard interrupted his musings. "Mr. Potter, do you admit to being out the house at the time of the explosion?"
"No! Well, I mean, I can't remember anything. I thought I was sleeping, but-"
At his words, all the wizards in the room started whispering to each other rapidly. They formed a sort of huddle and talked for about 30 seconds- among which the words "Lying", "Article- Daily Prophet", "Dark Lord", and "Imperious Curse" could be heard.
"Mr. Potter, I'm afraid you're going to have to come with us."
And with that, he found himself surrounded by the wizards, one with a hand on his shoulder, and they all Disapparated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He found himself, two seconds later, in what once must have been a large white room, but was now in desperate need of a paint job, so looked more grey than anything. It was furnished with a long table in the center, surrounded by a few chairs, and a line of metal desks sitting in the back of the room. The whole sight, devoid of any warmth, was quite depressing. It made Harry wonder exactly how much trouble he was in.
At the same time, in Arabella Figg's home
The old woman looked up, startled, and the faint 'pop' that was heard in her living room.
"Oh, Albus, I'm so glad you're here! I don't know what to do- Harry's gone, the Harrises are dead, and I feel completely helpless!"
The wizened old man patted his hand reassuringly on her shoulder, but by the look in his face, he was quite at a loss.
"Come now, I'm sure Harry's all right. It couldn't have been anyone other than Ministry wizards that apparated into his house. No one else can, with the protection you've helped me put around it. And where there's a wand, there's a wizard." He mumbled the last words mostly to himself.
Arabella looked up at him, confused. "Albus, what are you talking about?"
But the man was now standing up, the familiar twinkle in his eye that had been slightly dimmed back with full force.
"Albus?"
He started pacing back and forth, and it was clear he wasn't listening to a word she was saying.
"Perhaps we should go pay a visit to a certain Mr. Vernon Dursley."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Vernon Dursley was, at the moment, sitting on a couch in his living room, staring at nothing at all. His wife, having heard the commotion, had demanded to know what was going on- and was received with the most honesty from her husband she had ever experienced in all their years of marriage. Terrified by this shocking revelation, she had been screaming at him, trying to knock some sense into him, but had given up and was now just sitting across from him, trying very hard to understand what on earth could have happened. Dudley Dursley, having been awoken by his screaming mother, decided that, early as it was, this would be a perfect time to- you guessed it- eat. Yes, the Dursley house was in quite an unusual state, but two things stood out the most. The unwanted child of the family was, for once, exactly where he should be- nowhere to be found. Mrs. Dursley, though pretending to be angry at his disappearance, was really quite relieved at the lack of the brat. And as for the second difference, well, that came only a few seconds later, with a loud knocking at the door.
A/N- the beginning of this chapter wasn't very interesting, but, unfortunately, it was necessary. The second half, however, was more amusing to write- and I think it might therefore have appeared a little more lighthearted than the beginning so far. Well, in any case, thanks for reading. How was Harry? Good? Bad? Slightly believable? Is anyone even reading this?
And if you even think about leaving this fic without taking 1 second to press that little button at the bottom of the screen, you've got another thing coming. Another large thing, actually- I'm gonna sick Dudley on you! Oh, yes, now you're scared!!! Wow. When did I start rambling so much???????? Please review- tips, anything, please!!!
And now kudos to my two FABULOUS reviewers- I love you I love you I love you I love you!!!!!!!
VyingQuill- Sorry about the paragraphs, I was trying to figure out how to get a web page on the fic… Hahaha… is he lying… is Harry dreaming…. All will soon be revealed!! (I love ur story! It's on my favs ;)- and did you know they mentioned one of your stories in a column? Can't remember which one though….
T.H.- Thank you thank you thank you for reviewing mine! And as for yours, the pleasure was all mine ;) Hehe, the Weasleys are pretty nifty….