Chapter 5 Ministry Mayhem

Molly hurried over to her husband and began to brush him off. An awkward silence filled the room before Mr. Weasley spoke facing Harry, "Harry you have a hearing tomorrow at the Ministry of Magic for the use of underage wizardry."

Harry's heart sunk. Lupin placed a reassuring grip on Harry's shoulder. Everyone stood awkwardly for a moment then a quiet voice could be heart, "But I never got a letter…"

"That's because Dumbledore got wind of it immediately, and he's been dealing with Fudge and the Wizengamot all day. The entire ministry is in an uproar, and Fudge has something up his sleeve for you and Dumbledore. We're not sure what it is, but I guess we'll find out tomorrow." He sighed grimly.

Harry's face dropped, and he didn't even pay any attention as everyone was ushered upstairs and went to bed. He lay exhausted in his bed watching blurred shadows move around the room until he drifted into an uneasy sleep. Harry awoke the next morning and noticed Ron was still sleeping soundly as his snores filled the room. He groggily stood up, put his glasses on, and rummaged through some of things and pulled out a pair of robes. Then he headed down stairs to see Lupin sitting at a table sipping some coffee and Mrs. Weasley busying herself in the kitchen making breakfast.

"M-morning," Harry yawned as he took a place next to Lupin at the table. Lupin glanced at Harry, "How you holding up?"

"Fine," he muttered. Lupin arched an eyebrow and was about to say something but was interrupted by Mrs. Weasley who placed a plate full of bacon, sausage, toast, eggs, toast and muffins before Harry. She smiled at him sadly and said, "Eat up dear. You are going to need to keep up your strength today."

Harry shrugged.
"We'll get through this," Lupin said giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll be all over soon."
Harry didn't know what to say but managed to ask, "How are we getting there?"
"Ah yes," Lupin looked thoughtful. "I suppose we'll get there by a portkey."
Right on cue, Mr. Weasley walked in with a tattered rubber duck. "This should take us just outside the entrance to the Ministry of Magic. Remus and Moody will be escorting you. Don't worry Harry. Amelia Bones will be handling your case, and she's on our side." He added with a slight smile.

The rest of the morning went by quietly. When it was time to go, Moody appeared only moments before. The rubber duck glowed a misty blue. The three wizards out their hands on the item and disappeared in a swirl of color and reappeared with a faint .

Harry became lost in thought as he stood there. He began to remember his trial from last year where he was tried by a full court. He remembered hearing about different floors and offices in the ministry, but then his thoughts went to the last time he was at the ministry. It was only a few months ago that there in the Department of Mysteries that Voldemort was made public knowledge with many ministry officials seeing him. A surge of anger went through his veins as he thought about Fudge, the current Minister of Magic, and other close to him like Umbridge…and Percy. His thoughts cycled to seeing Voldemort's battle with Dumbledore and Voldemort possessing him. An uneasy feeling overcame him as he thought about Sirius, but it was quickly replaced by hatred. He recalled when he tried the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange, but it only did a minor work on her. She told him, 'you need to mean it, Potter! You need to really want to cause pain." He knew he wanted to avenge Sirius, but Bellatrix called that 'righteous anger.' He needed to really want to hurt her…to enjoy it. After a few months of brewing over Sirius' death, he wanted to see if it would work now.

Lupin put his hand on Harry's shoulder quickly bringing him out of his thoughts. Harry wearily looked up at the old telephone booth while Lupin looked at him curiously. "It'll be alright Harry. I promise," he spoke quietly. Harry looked up at Remus and smiled lightly; he was glad to have the last marauder, his father's best friend, and Sirius' too, with him right now.

After going through the registration process for security, Harry took in the sight once more of the spectacular hall before him. Lupin and Tonks quickly ushered Harry past a gawking crowd of wizards and other creatures just standing there. They headed towards the golden gates where they retrieved their wands. As they went through the gates, none other then joyous looking Minister Fudge greeted them. He took out his hand and shook Harry's vigorously, "So glad you my boy. I see you got yourself into a bit of trouble, but we'll work that all out." Harry just stood there with his mouth open and a gaze of utter shock. Moody and Lupin wore similar puzzled looks. Fudge looked at them condescendingly and turned his gaze back to Harry. "Yes well," he stammered awkwardly. "There are some things we need to discuss before we, erm, handle this underage wizardry business." Harry continued to look dumbstruck and confused as this man, who over the past few years made him out to be an incapable unbalanced, attention-seeker liar. This man who tried every way possible to have Harry expelled and wand snapped, was standing before him as if he was his lawyer trying to be nice as if none of their other confrontations had happened. He spoke in a voice of forced politeness, but was making a big show nonetheless. Fudge said, "Follow me Harry," and grabbed his wrist to lead the way.

Lupin placed a firm hand on Harry's shoulder to hold him back and spoke in a low dangerous tone, "He will not be going anywhere except to his hearing where Dumbledore awaits him and me."

"Ay yes…Dumbledore. Harry will be along shortly, but I, as Minister of Magic, have direct influence in deciding the fate of young Harry here, and it would be in his best interest for me to speak to him right now. ALONE," he added in a final tone. Fudge looked please with himself, as he cut off the werewolf from speaking and signaled for Harry to follow him. Harry through an exasperated glance towards Remus as he slowly trailed after Fudge.

Fudge lead him past the fountain and many golden statues till he came to an abrupt stop before a door that had dark rigid paneling with carved symbols that Harry didn't recognize. He followed Fudge into the room. It was pretty plain compared to what he saw upon entering the ministry, but he looked on curiously at all the shelves filled with jars of odd-looking ingredients. It looked like a large potion's cabinet in Snape's dungeon. He turned his gaze to Fudge who was busy pouring cups of tea. He forcibly placed one into Harry's hand and politely said, "Here. Drink. It'll help you relax." Remembering his meetings in Umbridge's office, he awkwardly declined and placed his cup on the desk Fudge was now sitting behind. Fudge slightly frowned but gestured for Harry to take a seat.

Harry slumped in the chair and looked warily at the person sitting before him. "Erm, what did you want to see me about?"

Fudge's eyes lighted up," Uhm yeah…about that…you see Harry, I have talked to Dumbledore about things and he explained the circumstances. As you can see with Dumbledore and with me…oh yes anyways." He rambled, "When it comes to you Harry, the whole wizarding world can seem to take a blind eye." Harry made to stand shocked and stammered, "But what about last year…" Fudge interrupted quickly, "Well…yes…that…we can all be wrong sometimes. You understand that don't you Harry?"

Before Harry could respond, he continued, "Well after discussions with Dumbledore, I think it's important for you to leave Pivet Drive, and I will personally see to it that we find you an acceptable place to live." Harry's head was spinning. Did he hear right? Could he finally leave the Dursleys'? He blinked twice; his mind still in shock. All of his angry feelings seemed to disappear at that moment, but was quickly brought back to reality when hustled noises of reporters came bargaining through the door with camera lights going off every second blinding him as he stumbled backwards to the floor. Cornelius Fudge was positively beaming as he rushed over to Harry's side. One reporter shouted, "Minister Fudge, could you tell us what's happening with the Potter boy's hearing?" "What's happening?" another reporter chimed in. Fudge draped his arm around Harry's shoulder and proudly took the lime light. "It has been brought to me attention about the ill-treatment this boy has been forced to undergo by his muggle relatives under Dumbledore's care." Many excited whispers erupted at this but Fudge triumphantly pressed on, "It has been discovered that young Harry here used underage wizardry to protect himself from his guardians. Because magic was used in self-defense, no hearing will be necessary, as I take it upon myself to personally pardon him." Several quick murmurs, and he again continued, "The nature of this news has also has also brought something up that needs to be addressed. The suffering this boy has had to face…" he paused and right on cue, looked pityingly at Harry who seemed to be in a state of shock, then
Continued, "…is not something that should be taken lightly for 'the boy who lived.'" Many heads nodded earnestly in agreement. "It is my intention as Minister of Magic to right this terrible wrong and place him in a wizarding home." He leaned in towards Harry and said, "Throughout the years, I have gotten to know this boy. He has become as a son to me, and it pains me to see that this boy suffered so much needlessly under the care of someone we all have blindly trusted over these many years."

Just then Dumbledore appeared, followed by Mr. And Mrs. Weasley and Remus Lupin. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Moody and Tonks came in and watched from a crammed corer at the scene before them. The throng of people stepped aside allowing Dumbledore and the others to the front of the crowd. Harry finally regaining his wits moved over to Remus and the others while Fudge smiled, maliciously. He again addressed the crowd, "This," he pointed at Dumbledore, "this wizard here is the reason why 'the boy who lived' has suffered so much." There were a few more gasps and man excited murmurs. With a triumphant smile, he accused, "Do you deny placing him in the care of these muggles?"

Dumbledore made no sign of searching for an explanation. He let out a slow sigh and simply stated, "No."

Fudge practically jumped with glee, "Aha….we need to decide now upon the new living arrangements of Harry Potter."

"Ahh, I see you Minister Fudge and Albus Dumbledore finally agree on something," stated Amelia Bones as she strode into the front of the room past the group of reporters and then added, "But that is to be decided in a different setting. Don't you agree Minister?"

Fudge glared at her for a moment before spluttering out, "What? Why yes, of course."

Amelia Bones smiled at Dumbledore and the others, and then rounded on Fudge, "Oh and Minister Fudge, next time you decide to cancel a hearing, please let the judge know beforehand." Fudge's face began to swell as he stormed out. She ordered Tonks, Shacklebolt, and Moody to usher out the crowd of people and reporters.