Disclaimer: All is not right with the world! I do not own Harry Potter! Oh the Horror! The Pain! Oh well, he and his world belong to the wonderful J. K. Rowling who is likely to do much better with them anyway. The staff Draconis, Marten Diggory, and a few other things/ people to be introduced later are mine however. If you want to use 'em, just ask.
Author Note: This. Is. The. Most. Fun. I've. Had. In. Months! I hope you enjoy! Please Review!
3. The Mandatory Summons
Harry lay on his bed and tried no to think. He had been lying there since noon and though the sun was now dipping past the far edge of Privet Drive, casting a rosy light on the orderly row of houses, he had not yet stirred. He heard the Dursleys bid Marten goodnight and invite him to visit again, though Harry suspected he would not be returning to Number 4 Privet Drive. He had after all, delivered his little bit of news.
Harry realized it was nearly six and that he would be summoned down to help with dinner shortly. He sat up with a sigh and pulled the parchment from his pocket. He reread it for the fourth time and still found he could not quite absorb it all.
Albus Dumbledore fired, Hogwarts to be Taken Under Ministry Control
A surprising announcement reached the news desk early this morning that Albus Dumbledore, the long-standing headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has been fired by none other than the minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge. Fudge states that he feels Dumbledore has become a dangerous influence to his students and staff. He cited that a list of fiascoes accompanied last year's Triwizard Tournament, from the admission of underage wizard, Harry Potter as the fourth champion and culminating in the death of the other Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory. Fudge goes on to state, and several outside sources have confirmed, that Dumbledore told the students at the end of term banquet last year, that none other than You-Know-Who had returned. Many parents are distressed that Professor Dumbledore said such a thing and several have confessed to seeking alternative forms of magical education. Minister Fudge suspects that Dumbledore has become unbalanced in his old age and his statements sprang from the increase of activity from You-Know-Who's supporters last year, most notably the muggle attacks and showing of the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup last fall. Fudge then went on to note that Dumbledore has been an able headmaster, but that he has become too disgruntled to handle the job properly. Several allegations have also been made that during his time as headmaster, Dumbledore has allowed several severe infringements of wizarding law. Hearings will be held on an as yet undisclosed date to investigate these allegations. Professor Dumbledore was not available for-
see page 3 for continuation
Harry sighed irritably, wishing Marten had included the rest of the article. Harry considered sending letters to Hermione and Ron to let them know what had happened but figured that Ron would already know and that Hermione would have found out by the time that Hedwig reached her.
Harry stared wistfully out of his window. Before the previous year, life had been fairly simple. Living with the Dursleys was horrible but at least he had had some respite at Hogwarts. Now it seemed that no matter which world he lived in, muggle or magic, things were only becoming worse.
As he stared out the window he noticed a car pull into Privet Drive. He watched it idly until he saw that it was rather odd for a car on Privet Drive. First of all, it was old, most of the people on Privet Drive were fairly well off and judged each other by the newness of their cars. Secondly, it was a rather alarming shade of olive green, one that clashed badly with the conservative attitude of usual inhabitants of Privet Drive. Harry felt his heart sink as it drew nearer, odd things happening before the start of the term had never been good, and Harry doubted it was going to be much better now. His hopes that it was a normal car were dashed completely when it began to turn into his driveway and he noticed that it had no license plate.
The car stuttered to a halt and three men stepped out. All three were wearing imposing black robes. A normal person may have thought they looked ridiculous in their strange attire, but they walked with the air of important men in business suits. Harry heard Aunt Petunia (who had no doubt been peaking through her window shades to see what her neighbors were up to) screech "Vernon!" just before the doorbell chimed through the house. The normally cheerful note sounded like a somber note to Harry's ears. His sense of dread was deepening.
Harry sat on his bed, feeling a nameless, numb sort of dread as he heard the door open and voices babble downstairs. The tone and pitch of the conversation quickly rose to an angry level, Harry could have easily listened in had he wanted, but for once, Harry's curiosity was not stirred and he merely sat on his bed awaiting the inevitable explosion.
It was not long in coming.
"BOY!" Uncle Vernon bellowed, "SOME OF YOUR KIND ARE HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU!"
Harry slid to his feet and absentmindedly threw his parchment, books, and quill into his trunk, he had the feeling he'd be leaving soon. Harry quietly stepped out of his room and strode down to the landing of the stairs. At the bottom, a strange scene awaited him.
Uncle Vernon's expression was a strange mix of anger, confusion, and terror. Aunt Petunia was deathly pale and she clutched to his meaty arm with her bony hands in a vice grip. The three men in robes stood looking up at Harry with somber expressions. All three wore black dress robes and all three looked very grim. Harry drew up two steps from the bottom as he recognized one of the robed men. It was Arthur Weasley, Ron's father. But today he wore a strained and ashen expression that matched the two men with him. When he saw Harry draw short he gave a small nod but did not smile or give greeting.
Harry swallowed and walked the rest of the way to the bottom. He suddenly felt very small and very alone. Uncle Vernon opened his mouth to speak but glanced at the oldest of the three wizards and seemed to think better of it. The man in question had short white hair and a thickly lined face. His hard gray eyes betrayed no emotion. He pulled a scroll from his robes, unrolled it with a snap and began to read in a hard, even voice.
"Harry Potter, Son of James and Lilly Potter, currently residing with guardians Vernon and Petunia Dursley, having completed four years of magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you are hereby summoned before the Ministry of Magic's tribunal court of international law. You are summoned to give testimony, as truthfully as you are able, under free will or Veritaserum truth potion, of the events that transpired between the dates of October 30th and June 1st last year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You testimony will be used in the hearing against the former Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Vendia Dumbledore."
Mr. Weasley spoke, and his voice seemed a bit strained. "It's a mandatory summons Harry, you have to come. I've made arrangements with the ministry, and you can come stay with us until the beginning of the term."
Harry nodded, "Let me just get my trunk pa-"
Mr. Weasley cut him off with a firm shake of his head. "Fred and George will get it later. You have to come now."
Harry turned slowly to consider Mr. Weasley with a hard, appraising look. "When is the Hearing?"
"Tonight Harry, in fact, right now."
Author note: Do hope you're enjoying! Thanks so much to the three of you who have reviewed so far! I hope to get the next chapter up tomorrow, but I won't be able to get number five up till next week. We are, alas, spending the long weekend on vacation and I won't be anywhere near my computer. I hope you all will forgive me. So any-who, please review! I love you all!
Questions? Concerns? Comments? Wild Accusations and Groundless Theories? E-mail me at Sechsmarquise@hotmail.com
Flamers accepted. (but you knew that by now didn't you?)
