A/N: This is not an especially exciting chapter, but sometimes the characters just need to talk about what's going on. All the talking just worked its way into a chapter-length conversation! Things will be moving forward in the next one.
athenakitty: Actually, Dumbledore didn't tell Harry and Ron to lie – he said that he couldn't ask them to do that, and that they should do as their consciences dictated.
chuckleseviltroll312: Heh… Hermione and Draco can't be in every chapter. Draco briefly rears his bigoted head in this chapter, though, and Hermione is back too. I hope the court stuff was okay. I spent FOREVER trying to make it realistic.
ootp-rules: Nice to see you again! I've had a few suggestions on the Latin phrase. I could have studied it in high school, but I went for Spanish instead (much more practical, as it is not a dead language and is the second most spoken tongue in the U.S.). I can't conjugate Latin verbs at all. Would you mind telling me exactly what "vide et credere" does mean? I wanted "see and believe" as opposed to the infinitive "see to believe", which is what your suggestion is. Thanks for the help!
Danae: Thanks again for reviewing. I love my regulars! I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out what happens in the end… not many chapters left to go.
Jemma Blackwell: I definitely think that Professor McGonagall rocks.
Wolfia: Nice to see you again, too! As I asked ootp-rules: what exactly did my phrase mean (since I relied on the web to tell me I can't be certain), and what does "vide et credeque" mean? It looks like French to me (I don't know if the "que" shows up in Latin or not). I'd love to know.
totallystellar: Yeah, I didn't mind so much when Harry was rebellious in Phoenix, as that's perfectly normal for fifteen-year-olds, but when he was whiny I couldn't stand it, even though that's normal too. :-) Yeah, I know I'm harping on the subject. I'll stop.
PhoenixTearsp322: You're really sweet. Thanks for lifting me up! And yeah, McGonagall certainly rocks. She's got a forcible presence.
Chapter 35: Victory and Doubt
Harry opened his eyes and found himself standing in Dumbledore's office once again with Ron and Professor McGonagall. His head was spinning with questions, and the trip by portkey had only made it worse.
Healer Bigelow had gone, but Dumbledore was seated behind his desk. "Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Professor McGonagall said crossly when she saw him.
"I did try," said Dumbledore. He donned a penitent expression. "I found myself unable to do so after just having slept all night. But since I am here, perhaps you will deign to tell me what happened."
Professor McGonagall threw up her hands. "Fine! Work yourself to death! Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Dumbledore smiled gently. "I've too much to do to kick the bucket just yet," he said. "You need have no fear of that."
"You know what I mean, Albus," Professor McGonagall said tartly.
"I do," said Dumbledore, "but I will not stop fretting until you tell me exactly what happened today. I give you my word that I will attempt to sleep once you have done so."
"You are insufferable," said Professor McGonagall, but she was smiling now.
"So I've been told," said Dumbledore. "But since you're not insisting that I retire this instant, I can only assume that you carried the day."
"We did," said Professor McGonagall proudly. "Cornelius never knew what hit him. Calvin Featherstone certainly knows what he's about."
"And how did our two young emissaries fare?" said the headmaster.
"They did very well," said Professor McGonagall.
"We didn't even have to say anything," said Harry.
"Tell me all that happened," said Dumbledore. "Start from the beginning and leave nothing out."
Professor McGonagall obliged. Dumbledore chuckled a bit when she described the battle of legal precedent between Featherstone and Madeleine Jenkins.
"I don't really understand what happened there," said Ron. "The moment she backed down, everyone else followed her lead."
"There are three factions in the Wizengamot," said Dumbledore. "There are those who support the Minister, those whom he is blackmailing, and those who are still 'free agents', if you will. Most of the last happen to agree with my way of thinking. Madeleine Jenkins is Cornelius' primary voice on the court. Once she gave way the members he is controlling were free to vote, and his supporters had to do as she did however much they disliked it."
"They looked at Harry and Professor McGonagall a lot," said Ron.
"Then Harry's mission was a success," said Dumbledore. "Since I could not be there, it was his job to intimidate Cornelius' supporters and give courage to those he has threatened. Of course it would have been best if we could have both been there." He gave Harry a shrewd look as if he were trying to see how Harry felt about all this. Harry remained silent and didn't quite meet the headmaster's eyes. Part of him was very glad that he'd been of use, but at the same time, he resented the fact that no one had asked him to do it.
Professor McGonagall continued with her narrative. Dumbledore seemed pleased when she described Professor Thornby's appearance and behavior. When she mentioned the chained chair, he chuckled softly. "Wonderful," he said.
"What's so wonderful about it?" said Harry. "I think Fudge actually hurt her when he made the chair tie her up."
"That is not what I meant," said Dumbledore. "It was petty of Cornelius to force the chair to act so violently, but that is just the point – he had to force it to chain her. If a person is brought straight from Azkaban and placed in that seat, the chains nearly always rise to bind them of their own accord. Prisoners come to the chair feeling guilty and the chains react. If a person's conscience is very clear, however, the chains will lie still."
"Well, why isn't that enough to prove her innocence?" said Ron.
"Because the reaction of the chains does not reflect upon the occupant's guilt or innocence," said Dumbledore. "It only reflects their conscience. All men do things in their lifetimes that they ought not to have done; no one can sit in the chair without the chains at least twitching. The guilty can be so assured of themselves that they will not be bound. Only one of the chains wrapped itself around Bellatrix Lestrange; the others had to be commanded."
"To most people, Professor Thornby already looks innocent," said Professor McGonagall. "She has only ever been seen to use her talents for good. The charges against her are trumped-up nonsense, and the chair showed that. So did her appearance; she's trying not to let herself sink into despair. The Wizengamot will remember."
"What of the Constrictor?" said Dumbledore.
"Amelia ordered it destroyed," said Professor McGonagall. "After what she said to Lucius, no one dared oppose her."
"That is good news," said Dumbledore. "Unfortunately, that was not the only Constrictor that still exists in the world."
"Well, how many are there?" asked Ron.
"Dozens, I imagine," said Dumbledore. "I know of the exact location of two others. What you must understand is that the collars were developed long ago during the Singers' War. Ordinary witches and wizards despaired of the destruction that the Singers had caused and sought a way to control them. Many collars were made, and though hundreds of years have passed, many yet survive."
"How do they work?" said Harry.
Dumbledore waved the question off. "I am certain that Miss Granger has already dug up everything there is to know about Constrictors," he said. "By this time she probably knows more about them than I do."
Professor McGonagall concluded the retelling with the reactions of the people in the rotunda as they left. "It is just as I had hoped," said Dumbledore. "We made waves today."
"I thought you didn't want to be in open conflict with the Ministry," said Harry.
"Not then, but now it is time for action," said Dumbledore. "We have fired our first salvo. Now we can only wait to see how Cornelius will react."
"The appearance of the Constrictor did force our hand a bit," said Professor McGonagall.
"It did," Dumbledore admitted. "I was not about to let anyone put a collar on Professor Thornby, least of all Cornelius Fudge." He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands. "We struck a mighty blow today, but he could still sabotage everything."
"He is arrogant beyond all comprehension," said Professor McGonagall disgustedly. "He was absolutely certain that he would get his way."
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "In former days Cornelius was level-headed and just, but he is not the man he once was. He is obsessed with his comfortable way of life, and Voldemort's supporters are poisoning him. In his attempt to maintain the well-ordered world he loves, he may inadvertently destroy it." Dumbledore fixed Harry and Ron with his piercing blue gaze. "Cornelius Fudge is now a very dangerous man," he said gravely. "You would do well to avoid him. Please make sure that Miss Granger understands this as well."
Harry and Ron nodded.
"I believe that is enough for now," said Dumbledore. "If you would stay but a moment, Harry, I have something to say to you." Ron and Professor McGonagall left the room and Harry stood alone before the headmaster. "I sense that you are unhappy with me," he said.
Harry shifted his feet uncomfortably. "Well –" he began.
"You should be," said Dumbledore. He looked every inch an old, old man. "I should have asked you to join Ronald and Minerva today instead of ordering it. No doubt the task seemed daunting to you."
"It did," Harry admitted.
Dumbledore nodded. "Please accept my apology," he said. "I can give no good reason for my lack of judgment, save my... extreme weariness."
"Forget about it," said Harry, and he meant it. Acknowledgement was all he had wanted anyway. "Are you going to stop visiting Azkaban?"
The headmaster sighed. "For now, yes. Ardoc will be going in my place. Someone must go; it sounds as if Celeste didn't take the second removal of her voice well at all. Heaven send that the Wizengamot sets a quick trial date, but I don't have much hope that Amelia will be able to make it happen." He looked at Harry's pocket. "I believe you still have something of mine."
"Oh! Sorry," said Harry. He reached into his robes and pulled out the Order of Merlin.
Dumbledore took the medallion and smiled tenderly at it. "So many people were more deserving of this than I," he said quietly.
"But you defeated Grindelwald!" said Harry.
"I didn't do it alone," said Dumbledore. "I had friends and allies; I had teachers and mentors. Grindelwald's demise only came about because the magical world banded together against him. Without that, I never would have succeeded. We triumphed against evil then and we will do it again, if only we can heal the fractures among us."
"You weren't undeserving, though," said Harry.
Dumbledore gave him a weathered smile. "I am more proud of my role as head of this school than I am of my hand in Grindelwald's defeat," he said. "Honors and accolades only count for so much. Many things were destroyed during the war against Grindelwald, but at Hogwarts I build young lives. That will be my greatest legacy."
Moments later Harry left Dumbledore's office and found Ron waiting beside the stone gargoyle. Lunchtime was already half over, so they quickly collected their books and went to the Great Hall. Heads turned as they entered; students and teachers alike watched them with considering eyes.
"What happened?" Hermione exclaimed as they sat down. Other students began crowding around, and before they knew it Harry and Ron found themselves surrounded by a large group of students from every house.
Harry and Ron waited for a minute until the crowd quieted down. "She pled not guilty to everything," said Ron, and everyone began talking again. A few students even applauded.
Harry had an idea. If Dumbledore thought it was time to actively oppose Fudge, then he wouldn't care if they spread a few things around before the Daily Prophet version of events came out. "Professor McGonagall ripped Fudge up one side and down the other," he said in a carrying voice.
"Yeah," said Ron, catching on. "He deserved it, too. He wants to kill all the Singers."
Horrified gasps sounded around them. "He said that?" said Justin Finch-Fletchly.
"He wants to 'cull it from the population for the good of all'," said Harry. "Sounds like genocide to me."
"Perhaps he just wouldn't let them reproduce," drawled a familiar voice. The crowd parted a bit to reveal Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle as usual.
"Idiocy," snapped Hermione. "The talent can show up in anyone. It isn't always passed down from parent to child. If Fudge means what he says, he's talking about murder."
"How would you know?" Draco sneered.
"I can read," Hermione retorted.
"Can't you?" said Ron.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Your father ought to be more careful about where he throws his support," he said. "How will your parents ever manage with no income, Weasley? I expect they're begging in the streets already."
"You've got no room to gloat," said Harry. "Fudge and your dad lost big today. The Wizengamot ordered the Constrictor destroyed. Sounds like your dad was seen buying it from someone he shouldn't have been talking to."
"He had a reason," Draco hissed. "Professor Thornby is dangerous to everyone. She isn't as innocent as she makes herself out to be. Her father tried to rig the election for Minister of Magic, you know, and both her parents associated with Dark wizards."
"Liar," Ron said bitterly. "Her father was duped by You-Know-Who's Death Eaters. You ought to know; your dad's one of them."
Draco went crimson. He snatched his wand from his pocket and pointed it at Ron. At the same time Ron leapt to his feet and drew his own wand. The watching crowd backed away, murmuring nervously.
"I'll thrash you from here to Sunday for that," Draco growled.
"Ladies first," Ron retorted.
"Stop this at once!" Professor Bellaton was stalking toward them. He looked positively irate. Students in the crowd scurried to get out of his way. Ron and Draco quickly lowered their wands.
"What do you mean by drawing your wands in the middle of the Great Hall?" he snapped.
"Malfoy insulted my dad!" Ron exclaimed.
"Weasley slandered mine," Draco replied angrily.
"I don't care who said what!" said Bellaton. "You will not threaten each other within this school! Is that understood?"
Ron and Draco glared at each other, but both said "Yes, sir," in sullen tones.
"Good," Bellaton said. "That will be three nights' detention for both of you."
"Three!" Draco and Ron cried together.
"Three," Bellaton replied flatly. "Perhaps that will teach you to keep a lid on your tempers. Back to your lunches, everyone," he said, waving the other students away. "The show's over."
"Got a bit of a short fuse, hasn't he?" said Ron as he sat back down.
"He wasn't wrong to do what he did," said Hermione, "but I can't blame you for what you did, either. I think you're right, though – he's not usually so short with students."
"I'd think that after what happened this morning he'd be a little happier," said Harry.
"Maybe he's afraid of being collared," said Ron.
"Shh!" said Hermione. "Do you want to land him in Azkaban?"
Ron's face fell. "No. I've already put someone else there, haven't I?"
Hermione looked taken aback. "I didn't mean it like that. That's not your fault at all."
"I know," said Ron. "But in a way, it's true."
The lunch hour was nearly over, so Harry and Ron didn't get a chance to talk more with Hermione until after classes were over. When Herbology finally ended, the three of them seized their bags and took off across the school grounds. Other students watched them with interest but no one followed. They walked far past the Quidditch pitch and onto a large, empty section of the grounds. With no trees or buildings nearby, they felt safe from eavesdroppers.
When Harry and Ron finally finished telling both what had happened and what Dumbledore had said to them, Hermione was shaking her head in disbelief. "How can Fudge be so blind?" she said.
"He's turning into a right little nutter, that's for sure," said Ron. "I knew he wasn't on our side, but I never thought he'd suggest murder!"
"Professor McGonagall really made him look like a fool," said Harry. "I don't know how she did it, but she completely steamrolled him."
"She must be the toughest woman alive," said Ron admiringly. "Hermione, I wish you could have seen Fudge's face when she demanded that they bring Professor Thornby in right that minute. And then when Madam Bones agreed with her!"
"So they're onto him, then?" said Hermione.
"Well, it sounds like the three factions in the court are pretty common knowledge," said Harry. "But just because Madam Bones got control of the Wizengamot today doesn't mean she'll keep it. A third of the members are still being threatened by Fudge."
"Yeah," said Ron. "Harry can't be around to intimidate people all the time."
"Did you really?" said Hermione. She beamed happily at Harry.
"Maybe a little," he admitted. "A lot of them couldn't look me in the eye."
"Don't listen to him, Hermione," said Ron. "Between Harry and Professor McGonagall, everyone was walking small. I sure wish I could intimidate people just by standing still."
"If you say so," said Harry. "The point is, justice isn't guaranteed at all, or at least not as long as Fudge is blackmailing members of the Wizengamot!"
"Featherstone said he was going to work on the decrees," said Ron. "Maybe the Wizengamot will strike them down!"
Hermione nodded her understanding. "If they do they'll have to let Professor Thornby go," she said. "And even Fudge's supporters can't like the fact that he passed them in secret."
"The people he's blackmailing will do whatever he says," Harry grumbled. "All he has to do is have that Jenkins woman jerk the leash."
"Not anymore," said Hermione. "Dumbledore has the letter Fudge sent her."
"He'll find a way," said Harry.
"Way to look on the sunny side, mate," said Ron.
"I can't help it," said Harry. "It just seems like everyone's against us."
"That's not true," said Hermione. "I'll be that most ordinary witches and wizards disagree with Fudge. 'He who lives well lives unnoticed.' Besides, we've got Dumbledore. Without him things really would be hopeless."
"Yeah," said Ron. "Without him, Professor McGonagall would never have gotten a hearing and Professor Thornby would be collared right now."
"We still don't know what those are all about," said Harry.
"Yes, we do," said Hermione. "I've been doing some research on Constrictors."
Harry and Ron grinned at each other. It was just like Dumbledore had said.
"What's so funny?" said Hermione, looking between the two of them.
"Nothing," said Ron. "You were saying?"
"Well, they were first created during the Singers' War," she said. "Apparently dozens of Singers were collared for life."
"For life?" said Harry.
"That's what the book said," said Hermione. "Most of them were the aggressors in the war and ended up living out their lives in Azkaban in complete silence."
"Because the wizards who controlled the Constrictors never allowed them to speak?" said Ron.
"Exactly," said Hermione.
"I guess they couldn't just take the collars off, then," said Harry.
Hermione shook her head. "Anyone else could have, though."
"How do they work?" said Harry.
"Well, I don't know the incantation or anything, but the wizard who wants to control a Singer casts a spell on the Constrictor. Then they just snap it around the Singer's neck, and presto! – the Singer can't make a sound until the wizard allows it. The texts I read weren't very clear on exactly how the controller allows the Singer to speak. It might just be a matter of thought."
"So they can't control what the wearer says, just when they can say it," said Ron.
"Right," said Hermione. "But it's not just speaking that's controlled. The person wearing the Constrictor can't Sing a note unless the controller specifically allows it. I think that's why so many Singers were left collared in Azkaban. The Constrictors' owners were afraid of what the prisoners might do if they were allowed to say anything at all."
Ron frowned. "If I couldn't talk because someone was keeping me from doing it, I'd spend all my time thinking of the one thing I'd say if given the chance. You know, a spell that would free me."
"That's just what I thought," said Hermione. "You wouldn't be able to take the collar off even if you had a wand, but maybe you could do something to the person who controlled you."
"That's just the kind of thing Fudge would be afraid of," said Harry. "So if Professor Thornby is found guilty at trial, she'll be collared and left to rot in Azkaban or he'll have her killed." No one disagreed, and the three of them fell into melancholy silence.
They sat that way for several minutes, each of them lost in their own dark thoughts. Ron played with the blades of grass beneath his fingers. Hermione sat with her knees pulled up to her chest and frowned into the distance. She was obviously pondering something; Harry had learned to recognize that look.
A bell tolled up at the school signaling the start of the dinner hour. Harry looked around and saw that the shadows were beginning to lengthen.
"Come on, let's go back," said Ron. "I'm starving."
"Wait a minute!" said Hermione. "I've been wondering – why do you suppose Percy was acting so oddly?"
Ron scowled. "I don't want to talk about him. He's abandoned our family."
"How can you be so sure?" said Hermione.
"I saw his face!" Ron exclaimed. "He couldn't care less if I were alive or dead!"
"He did look pretty blank," said Harry.
"But that's not how he looked at the Gala after you were attacked," said Hermione. "He was really worried about you."
"So?" said Ron. "He's not worried now. He's made his choice."
"But –"
"I've got five siblings now," said Ron. "End of story."
Hermione didn't look satisfied at all, but she let the matter go. They gathered up their things and started walking back to the castle. The subject of Percy seemed to have made Ron want to be alone, and he walked stiffly ahead while Harry and Hermione hung back a little.
"What are you thinking?" Harry said softly to Hermione.
"Hmm," she said. "I'm not quite sure. I'll have to do some more reading. It could be nothing."
"Oh, come on," said Harry. "You don't even want to tell me what you suspect?"
"Not until I'm certain," she said firmly.
Harry sighed. He knew he'd get nothing more from her. As he walked along he wondered how such an unequivocal victory that morning could still leave so many things in doubt. Had Percy really made his final decision? Would Lucius Malfoy be able to get his hands on another Constrictor? What would Fudge do if Professor Thornby was found guilty? Only one thing was clear to Harry – justice was still a long way off, and the future was by no means certain.