Harry Potter and the Destruction of Hope

Chapter Three: Mayhem at the Ministry

Dumbledore turned away from Harry, whose brain was filled with a thousand questions and responses. 'Now, Sirius,' Dumbledore continued, picking up a scrap of parchment from a nearby chair and examining it carefully, 'are you coming with us? I assure you that no harm will fall upon you.'

'It's not me I'm worried about,' Sirius replied, glancing toward Harry.

'Sirius,' Dumbledore cut in, 'if I thought I was taking Harry into danger, do you honestly believe I would?'

'No,' Sirius replied, 'but that doesn't mean I have to like it.' Running a hand through his hair he looked from his godson to the aged wizard once more, glancing at Moody, Tonks and Lupin, who stood silent throughout. 'Fine, I'm going – but not out in the open.' With this he transformed into his Animagus form, padding over to stand by Harry protectively.

'Right, that's settled that,' Dumbledore turned to the other three. 'Nymphadora,' he said, blissfully ignoring the cough of laughter Harry suddenly let out as Tonks scowled, 'go on ahead, act as if you know nothing about this.'

'Shouldn't be too difficult,' Mad-Eye grunted, making the scowl on Tonks's face increase as Lupin hid his smile behind his hand.

'Thank you Mad-Eye,' Dumbledore said, 'I think I'll leave you behind to watch over Mrs. Black.' Before Harry could say anything Lupin let out a loud burst of laughter, while Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as Moody's face fell. 'Remus, you come with us, I'll probably need someone to hold Sirius back.' The black dog by Harry's side let out a pathetic whine of protest as Dumbledore said this, 'Severus will be there, Sirius, and I do not want you two at each other's throats.' The whine suddenly turned to a throaty growl, but it quickly faded as Dumbledore stared down his nose at Sirius, his eyes firm.

'I'll see you at the Ministry,' Tonks said, her eyes flicking between Dumbledore and Sirius with amusement. 'I'll let Kingsley know something's happening,' she added, opening the door and walking into the hallway.

'I would be remarkably surprised if he hadn't noticed something is already happening,' Dumbledore said to her as she left. 'Make sure Arthur is there as well – I'll need to speak to him afterwards.' Rolling up the scrap of parchment he drew his wand, pointing it at the scroll of flaking paper. 'Portus,' he muttered, keeping a firm grip on the scroll as it trembled, glowing blue as the spell took hold.

Without waiting for his assent Dumbledore put one corner of the scroll into Sirius's mouth, and then held the opposite corner in his own hand, nodding for Harry and Lupin to do the same. As they did he counted up to three, and Harry felt a familiar tugging on his navel before he flew forward into a mix of colour and sounds.

Harry staggered as his feet hit solid ground, the threadbare carpet of Grimmauld Place replaced by a polished wooden floor. To Harry's left there was a startled yelp as Sirius slid to the floor, his paws splaying outwards on the slippy surface beneath him. 'Just imagine you're using your fingernails,' Lupin muttered, lifting his friend upwards and ignoring the spatter of drool that landed on his robes. He caught Harry's brief look, 'You should see mine after a full moon,' he said quietly, 'a manicurist would kill me.'

Harry grinned in response, slightly easing the sense of queasiness in his stomach. Once Sirius was back on his paws, Harry looked around the building they'd arrived in. There was a large ceiling above him, with gold symbols that shifted position over the blue surface. The walls were covered with the same wooden panelling as the floor, apart from the rows of fireplaces on two of the sides from which various witches and wizards emerged and entered.

The centrepiece of the hall was a large fountain of gold with a witch, wizard, centaur, house elf and goblin, all spraying out water that was collected in the large pool surrounding the five. On the far side Harry could see a pair of golden gates through which most of the people were passing. Dumbledore began walking, nodding to various witches and wizards he passed, most of who smiled or inclined their heads in response.

He approached a desk to the left of the gate where a wizard in blue robes that matched the ceiling was sitting, watching everyone pass him by. He saw Dumbledore approaching him and almost fell backward off his chair. Standing up he found himself on the other end of the half-moon spectacles perched on Dumbledore's nose. 'Albus Dumbledore and group to see Cornelius Fudge,' he said formally, 'and we won't be submitting to any inspection. Inform Cornelius that I will see him in Courtroom One with the full Wizengamot as soon as possible, Mr. Potter has something to say to them.'

'Bu-you-wh!' the wizard managed, before Dumbledore swept past him with the others trailing along behind him, Harry in his old jeans and t-shirt, and Lupin in his shabby robes.

'What's the Wizengamot?' Harry asked Lupin, while Sirius walked along with his tail wagging enthusiastically.

'The wizard court,' Lupin replied, his eyes scanning the crowd as they walked through it, 'Dumbledore is…was the Chief Warlock – Fudge replaced him this morning.'

'Who with?'

Lupin let out a snort of disgust before replying, 'Himself.'

They arrived at a row of lifts, and Dumbledore was let forward by a tall black wizard with a gold ring in his ear, 'Need a lift, Albus?' he asked in a slow, deep voice.

'Thank you, Kingsley,' Dumbledore said, stepping into the lift that he held for them. Letting them all in, Kingsley grinned down at Sirius who responded with a bark.

'Harry Potter, Kingsley Shacklebolt,' Lupin introduced them, while Dumbledore stood at the front of the lift, staring out at the different floors that passed.

'Good to meet you, Potter,' Shacklebolt said, nodding his head in recognition, keeping his right hand beneath his robes.

'Expecting trouble?' Lupin asked with a slight hint of humour in his voice.

'Always,' Shacklebolt replied, his voice reverberating ominously around the lift. 'Tonks has gone on ahead, somehow there was a rumour that you might be arriving, Albus.' The old wizard only nodded in acknowledgement of this, still facing forward, almost as if he'd been expecting to hear this.

'Where's Severus?'

'He's here?' Kingsley asked in reply, 'Albus are you sure this is a good idea – Lucius Malfoy has been following Fudge like a dog on a lead.' Sirius growled at this, his gleaming eyes centred on Kingsley, who towered over the black dog beside him. 'Sorry, Sirius, but you know what I mean.'

'Lucius Malfoy is no member of the Wizengamot,' Dumbledore said calmly, 'Severus will not show himself until I ask him to – if needs must.' The lift came to a halt on these words, and Shacklebolt crept by Dumbledore to enter the hallway first. Two wizards stood before them, and Harry remembered them as Bode and Croaker, the Unspeakables who'd spoken to Mr. Weasley at the Quidditch World Cup.

'Lucius Malfoy is in there,' Bode said, 'Fudge went in with him.'

Dumbledore nodded at the news, and then continued striding down the corridor with the other four behind him, Sirius still as the rambling dog. Harry looked behind him as they turned a corner, and with surprise saw that the two wizards were no longer there – they'd just disappeared. The feeling of queasiness was in his stomach again as they walked down some stairs, arriving in a corridor that looked more like it should be in Hogwarts, with heavy stones and torches in brackets along it's length.

They arrived at a wooden door with a rusty handle and Dumbledore pushed it open as if it weighed no more than a feather, the heavy lock sliding back at his touch. Harry stepped through the doorway behind Shacklebolt, and stumbled to a stop in a shock of recognition. They were in the chamber where he'd seen Death Eater trials from Dumbledore's memory, where witches and wizards were sent to Azkaban…or worse. Lupin stepped up behind him, as Sirius moved closer, a low whine escaping his mouth.

'I've got you, Harry,' Lupin whispered, gently pushing the young wizard forward.

'You can't bring them in here!' a voice cried out from the high benches opposite the door, a whiny voice Harry recognised as belonging to the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. 'Dumbledore! You can't bring them in – they are not members of the Wizengamot!'

'I see that has not stopped you, Cornelius,' Dumbledore snapped back, gesturing to the wizards gathered at the sides of the chamber, several of whom rose as Dumbledore's arms moved over them. 'Stay seated,' he said to them, 'unless you wish to join your colleagues in St. Mungo's.' Lowering his arms once more Dumbledore settled his gaze on Fudge, whose face was reddening with anger with every second. 'I did not come here to fight you, Cornelius, but if you push me I will have no choice but to act…and don't think I'll be alone.'

'Dumbledore,' a witch to Fudge's left said, in a booming voice that cut through the silence that followed, 'could you tell us what this is all about.'

'Certainly, Amelia, and I do give you my apologies for hospitalising your colleagues earlier, I understand they were not following your orders.' The monocled witch nodded in acceptance, shooting a glare sideways at Fudge, who squirmed slightly in his seat. 'Why we are here is very simple,' Dumbledore continued, drawing his wand and flicking it at the floor, from which two chairs and a small rug sprang up. Lupin ushered Harry into one chair, while he took another and Sirius slumped down on the rug, his head between his paws while his eyes remained fixed on Dumbledore.

'Two years ago, as I'm sure you're all aware, Hogwarts played host to the Triwizard Tournament, and that ended in the death of a student, Cedric Diggory.' Dumbledore gazed around the benches, 'You all know Harry's involvement in what happened, some of you better than others.' He added the last part with a glance towards Amos Diggory, who was sitting in the corner of the room. 'We are here to clarify the events of that night – once and for all – it's time the truth was heard.'

'We all know your version of the truth!' Fudge shouted, standing up on his bench and hammering his fist down on the wooden panel. 'Sirius Black innocent! You-Know-Who returning! Preposterous – you haven't a scrap of evidence for any of it!'

'I am here to present that evidence, Cornelius,' Dumbledore continued calmly, 'and this is evidence you can't thrust aside as you please.' Turning his back on Fudge, Dumbledore walked over to where Harry sat, 'I propose that Harry tells you everything.'

'So we can hear his lies!' Fudge began again, with voices of support joining in as the Minster rose, gesturing angrily at Harry. 'You can't hide behind him, Dumbledore, we all know why you're here! You want the Ministry – that's why you and your traitorous…traitors have been subverting me!'

Then, to Harry's surprise someone else spoke out, it was Mr. Weasley. 'Since when has telling the truth been subversion, Cornelius? My son and daughter would be dead if it wasn't for Harry – and you say he's a liar!' he said, his face as red as his distinctive hair as he stood up on one of the side benches.

'What would you know Weasley?' Fudge spat out, 'Your mind is on Muggles more than anything else! How would you know what your children are up to!'

'THAT'S ENOUGH!' Amos Diggory roared, silencing both Fudge and the enraged Mr. Weasley. 'My son is dead, Cornelius, dead! And no one, no one except Harry has been able to tell me why!' He was standing now, staring angrily around the entire chamber. 'If he told me the truth, then you don't know half of what Harry's been through! He deserves to speak – for my son!'

'For Julian,' added another wizard, drawing a murmur of support from some of the wizards present.

'I will not tolerate this,' Fudge said loudly, 'we are not here to listen to the rants of some idiotic child!'

'I'll be the judge of that,' Amelia Bones cut in, 'need I remind you that I am in charge of Magical Law Enforcement, and my authority in this matter supersedes even yours, Cornelius?' She cleared her throat as the murmurs lessened, then focused on Dumbledore through her monocle. 'There have been deaths, Albus, I need an explanation.'

'You shall have one,' Dumbledore replied, bowing his head respectfully. 'I need a few minutes to speak to Harry, if you'll permit me.'

'No!' Fudge interjected, 'I won't have you putting him under your spell, you old –!' Angry roars overtook the chamber as most of the wizards and witches present rose to their feet. Sirius let out an angry bark, baring his teeth at the minister and making to pad forwards, until Dumbledore waved him back. Keeping his teeth out, Sirius padded to sit on Harry's right-hand side, while Lupin kept a watch on Harry's left.

Dumbledore held up his hands for silence, but Fudge had finally overstepped the mark, accusing the elderly wizard of using the Imperius Curse. From the edge of the benches, another figure emerged, walking up to the head of the room and standing beside Dumbledore, not looking at the old wizard. Snape stood there patiently, his eyes fixed on Fudge and the rest of the Wizengamot while heated arguments continued around the chamber.

Eventually it began to quieten down, as more people began to notice Snape standing before them, his eyes still fixed on Fudge. 'May I suggest, a clear way of establishing the truth, Minister?' he said, amidst the dying murmurs in the room.

'By all means,' Amelia Bones replied for Fudge, one look from her enough to keep the Minister silent.

'Thank you, Madam Bones,' he said, reaching into his sleeve and withdrawing a small vial, held it up before her. 'I should not have to tell you what this is.'

Madam Bones stared back at Snape for a second, wondering if he'd gone mad. 'Severus, you can't administer Veritaserum to Harry – he's an innocent.'

'We don't know that,' Fudge cut in, glaring at Harry, 'as Diggory rightly pointed out, we've only ever heard of his innocence from the boy's own mouth.' Amidst the benches Amos stood angrily once more, but was this time restrained by Kingsley, who'd worked his way around to the other wizard. 'Now is our chance to confirm that innocence, don't you agree, Amelia?'

'I'll do it,' Harry said, quickly and quietly before Madam Bones could answer. Dumbledore turned and stared at Harry, who suddenly remembered just how piercing the Headmaster's looks could be. 'I'll do it,' he reiterated, his tone strong, 'I want this to be over.'

'Harry, do you realise what you're agreeing to?' Dumbledore said, equally quietly, but with the same force of will behind it. Harry just nodded in reply, the gaze he shot at Dumbledore telling the older wizard all he needed to know. 'If this is to happen,' Dumbledore continued, now turning back to face the Wizengamot, 'then I must insist that Harry's guardian is present.'

'Granted,' Fudge said, 'I shall send someone to the Dursley house immed-'

'That won't be necessary, Cornelius,' Dumbledore continued calmly, 'I'm sure you're aware that Lily and James granted guardianship to another wizard.' Turning his back on the puzzled minister, he stared down at Sirius, who was now cowering beside Harry and whining with apprehension. 'Sirius, it's time for the world to recognise you for what you are,' he said it firmly, 'if anything happens – I will get you out – and Harry too.'

Sirius transformed in an instant, growing upward to stand before Dumbledore, 'I trust you,' he said simply, before the chamber erupted in uproar once more.

'Thank you,' Dumbledore said, and then he turned slowly to face the row of Aurors that was now standing behind Fudge, with wands trained on Sirius. 'Ah, yes, I expected we might hit this problem.'

'That's…that's Sirius Black!' Fudge stuttered, his mouth still moving up and down even after the words had come out of his mouth.

'Sorry?' Dumbledore turned around in apparent shock to stare at Sirius, 'Well yes, it does appear to be him – who else did you suppose to be Harry's guardian?' He turned back to Fudge, then put his piercing gaze on the row of wizards and witches above the minister. 'I'd put those wands away if I were you, because you can be sure it's not just me who will protect this man.' Dumbledore didn't even move, but the mere threat seemed enough to make the less courageous back down and soon the others joined them – but keeping their wands within reach.

Snape, meanwhile, had ignored most of the commotion, not even reacting to Sirius's presence as he had conjured up a small cup on the table. Uncorking the vial of Veritaserum he let a couple of drops fall into the cup, then offered it to Sirius, not looking at the other wizard. 'There's enough there for a few hours, so don't let him drink it all, Black.'

'Why are you doing this?' Sirius asked, 'Malfoy is in here – he'll tell Voldemort –'

'What – anything he doesn't already know?' Snape snapped, glaring at Sirius. 'I'm meant to be undermining Dumbledore by doing this, that's the point.' He put the cup forward again, and this time Sirius took it. 'Just a few drops, that's all he'll need.'

Holding the cup Sirius moved to Harry's side, where Lupin now stood with his wand drawn, keeping an eye on the rest of the chamber. Looking around the room Harry saw that Kingsley and Tonks had moved to the edges of the rows, keeping their wands by their sides while leaning casually against the benches. 'You sure about this?' his godfather muttered, tapping his fingers against the side of the cup in a nervous rhythm.

'I'm sure,' Harry said, looking at Sirius steadily, 'it's the only way to get the truth out – I won't let them bury it any longer.'

'Harry, this isn't the way to do it,' Sirius hissed urgently, 'not with that pompous idiot discrediting everything you say.' He added the last part with a vague gesture in the direction of Fudge, and Harry caught a glare from the Minister at Sirius's back.

'That's why we're doing this,' Dumbledore replied, walking over with confidence, despite the fully armed row of wizards sitting behind him. 'He can't doubt the truth. Our time's running out, Sirius,' he continued, 'Voldemort's beyond subtlety now – you think he wasn't behind this?– he's using Fudge with Malfoy's help. This is no longer a secret war. I ask you,' he continued firmly, 'to let your godson speak – for all of us, Sirius – and for you.'

Sirius nodded reluctantly, before a familiar roguish grin appeared on his face. 'If this doesn't work, I'd love to see you hold them off,' he added with a nod towards the row of Aurors.

'He won't be alone,' Lupin muttered, his eyes still flicking around the room.

'Are you ready? Sirius asked Harry, gingerly offering him the cup – and he took it without a moment's hesitation. 'Just take a bit – or you'll be under its effects for hours.' Beyond Dumbledore and Sirius, Harry saw Snape move to the base of the high rows, saying something quietly to Fudge before leaning against the benches, his eyes fixed on Harry. Instead of the usual glare of malice, there was something else – and Snape gave an almost reassuring nod towards the cup.

Taking a deep breath, Harry lifted the cup to his lips. The inside glimmered slightly as some light reflected off the clear potion within, then Harry tilted it, letting a few drops fall into his mouth and down his throat. As they trickled down, Harry was faintly surprised to taste pumpkin juice from the remains in his mouth.

The effect was almost instantaneous. Harry felt like an invisible shroud had fallen over him, fogging his head – an effect he had felt before at Crouch's hands…and Voldemort's. A sudden surge of panic gripped him, and he jerked suddenly in the chair, sending the cup flying as he thrashed about. Two strong hands took him by the shoulders, 'Harry!' a voice said, much louder than the quiet suggestion of the Imperius Curse. 'It's me,' the blurred face in front said, 'it's Sirius.'

'Scared…' Harry said, his voice wobbling, 'thought…thought I was under Imperius…like He did to me…'

'Christ – Dumbledore!' Sirius cursed, turning on the Headmaster, 'we've got to stop this.'

'Only Harry can stop this,' Dumbledore replied calmly, his voice firm, 'intervene only when you have to.' With these words to Sirius he turned round to face Fudge, but addressed Amelia Bones. 'You can proceed with your questions – but I ask that you remember he is still a child, no matter what hardships he has undergone.'

'And we can stop you,' Sirius added in, 'if things get out of hand – or if the question is unsuitable.'

'That is your right, as Harry's guardian,' Amelia replied, nodding and trying to ignore the pitiful look that had settled on Harry's face. Before she could begin, Fudge cut across, his voice harsh and angry.

'Is Sirius Black innocent?' he practically shouted, leaning forward with a furious glare.

'Yes,' Harry mumbled, rolling his head around as he tried to locate the source of the question through his unfocused eyes. He was vaguely aware of some muttered discussion, then Sirius spoke to him once more from nearby.

'Dumbledore's putting a charm on you, Harry, to make your voice louder.' Harry nodded his assent jerkily, and felt the Sonorus Charm take effect – the sound of his own breathing increasing in his ears. 'Tell them again, Harry,' Sirius said, a slight tremor in his voice as he did so, 'tell them.'

'He's innocent,' Harry said, smiling through the haze, 'he's not a murderer – he's never worked for Voldemort and he didn't betray my parents.' There was an audible gasp around the chamber as Harry said Voldemort's name, but it was the stunned silence that followed which was more significant.

It was Fudge who regained his voice first, and with narrowed eyes he continued the questioning. 'Who did murder those people then? Who betrayed your parents?'

'Peter Pettigrew,' Harry spat back instantly, his angry response echoing around the chamber. 'It was Peter Pettigrew.'

'Nonsense,' Fudge sneered, 'Peter Pettigrew died – murdered by Sirius Black.'

'Strike that response,' Madam Bones said curtly, 'we do not need to repeat ourselves, Cornelius.' Looking down at the scroll beneath her, she readjusted her monocle to look at Harry before speaking. 'Harry, can you tell me who killed…murdered Cedric Diggory?'

'It was Pettigrew,' Harry said, and without control he let a sob out, 'he killed him…He told him to kill the spare…like Cedric was nothing…' Tears blurred Harry's eyes even further, but he looked round the chamber, trying to focus on Amos Diggory. 'He wasn't nothing…he was my friend…he was a good friend to everyone…I...I couldn't save him,' Harry added the last part before he began trembling with grief. 'I'm sorry,' he mumbled, as Sirius put his hands on Harry's shoulders once more, 'I'm sorry I didn't save him.'

'It wasn't your fault, Harry,' Sirius said, 'don't blame yourself for Voldemort's actions.'

'Enough of this,' Fudge snapped, ignoring the warning look that Amelia Bones gave him. 'Don't think this pantomime display will affect this tribunal.' Sirius's face darkened, and Lupin put a restraining arm on his friend as the other wizard started to stride towards the high bench. Sirius turned to snap at Lupin, who simply glanced at Harry, the sight of his godson softly crying was enough to halt Sirius in his tracks.

Very calmly, despite the rage he felt for the portly man sitting in front of him, Sirius kept a level tone as he spoke. 'If you continue in that manner, Fudge, this ends now.'

'It will end when I have heard the truth,' Fudge replied, his voice low and dangerous once more, 'and not before.' Sirius made to argue back, but a small wave of Dumbledore's hand silenced the younger man, who simply remained by Harry's side, glowering at the Minister. Fudge ignored the actions, instead continuing his questioning: 'Has You-Know-Who returned?'

Through the involuntary tears running down his face, Harry let out his quiet answer as everyone in the chamber drew their breath in. '...no.'

'I KNEW IT!' Fudge roared, standing upright and immediately throwing an arm forward at Dumbledore, 'ARREST HIM!'.

The crowd in the chamber erupted immediately – every witch and wizard shouting in support or opposition of Fudge's declaration. Most of the Aurors surrounding Fudge had their wands on Sirius, who once more resembled the frightened, starving man Harry had first confronted in the Shrieking Shack. The others covered Dumbledore, who remained by Harry's side, his face still a mask of calm.

A loud boom crashed through the hall, deafening all within as Amelia Bones slammed her wand down on her desk in front of her, the sudden noise bringing the chamber to silence. 'I will have order,' she said quietly, glaring at Fudge and those around here, 'while Mr. Potter finishes his statement.' Through the earlier disruption, only she and Dumbledore had noticed Harry's lips were still moving.

'Harry, in a moment could you please repeat what you just told us.' Looking around the room she made sure every eye was on her, 'And if he is not given silence throughout, I will clear this courtroom.' She finished with a look at Fudge, indicating that the Minister should sit once more with a sharp nod of her head. He sat down, looking as if a rather large brick had struck him squarely in the forehead.

'Harry,' she asked quietly, 'has You-Know-Who returned?'

'No,' Harry replied once more, his voice hardening slightly, and becoming more clear in the silence of the enormous chamber. 'Lord Voldemort has returned.'

Somehow the silence in the chamber increased, and a small smile creased Dumbledore's features.

Madam Bones did a good display of not shuddering at the name, but there was a slight tremble in her voice as she continued quickly, using the silence Harry's statement had brought. 'You have seen him?'

'I fought him,' Harry replied firmly, aware of the pressure from Sirius's grip increasing on his shoulder – but instead of pain he felt only reassurance.

'And his Death Eaters?' Madam Bones continued softly, 'You have seen them too?'

'Yes,' Harry replied flatly, his eyes meandering around, 'no…'

'No?' Fudge asked, snapping out of his daze and leaning forward eagerly, 'no you haven't seen them? It's all a lie – is that what you're saying?'

'Will you let the boy speak, Cornelius?' Madam Bones snapped, silencing Fudge with a furious glare.

'I couldn't see them…' Harry said, as if he was stating an obvious fact, 'they had their masks on…but Voldemort…he said their names…I heard their names.'

'Can you tell me?' Madam Bones continued, then a look of concern passed her face as Harry flinched, and Sirius knelt beside him.

'What is it, Harry?' he said, uncomfortably aware that anyone could hear his response.

'What about Him?' Harry replied uneasily, with an imperceptible nod towards Snape.

'Name him,' Dumbledore said under his breath, not even glancing around at Harry or Snape as he did so. 'You must, Harry – the truth – Severus is a Death Eater.' Harry nodded numbly, and Sirius pushed himself off his knees, turning to face Madam Bones.

'He wants to tell you more about Voldemort,' Sirius lied to her smoothly after standing up, 'but he'll give you some names first.' He replaced his hand on Harry's shoulder once more, giving it a second reassuring squeeze as Harry began to repeat the names from the night Cedric had died.

'Peter Pettigrew…Avery…Lestrange…Goyle…' Harry let the names come in no particular order, but from where he was leaning Snape stiffened automatically at the absences, his face blanching. 'Nott…Crabbe…Macnair…Crouch…Professor Snape…Lucius Malfoy…'

A greater silence followed than the one that had accompanied the news that Sirius was innocent.

'Impossible!' Fudge said, staring down at Snape in shock, then whirling about to try and find Malfoy in the rows above. 'Arrest him!' Fudge declared suddenly, waving his arms around and directing two of his Aurors towards the Dark Wizard on the courtroom floor – they needed no second bidding. Drawing their wands, they leapt from the benches to the floor, tumbling over and coming up with their wands trained on Snape.

'Behind you, Tonks!' Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice boomed throughout the chamber, and everyone's head turned in time to see Tonks fly violently through the air accompanied by a terrific crack of noise. Lucius Malfoy stood at the top of the chamber, his wand pointing at the space where Tonks had been standing. Dumbledore whipped out his wand, pointing it at Tonks's falling body and releasing a spell that slowed her fall.

'STOP HIM!' Lupin roared at the wizards and witches who were staring at Malfoy with shock on their faces, but before any of them could react he disapparated with a sneer on his face. Seconds later two Stunning Jinxes, from Kingsley and Lupin, hit the wall behind Malfoy's position – instead of him they chipped away at the chamber's edge, showering the nearby crowd with bits of plaster.

A cry sounded from the doors to the chamber, and every head but Harry's swivelled to see Macnair topple backward, two jinxes striking him in the chest. There were two ripples of motion by the door as the Unspeakables, Bode and Croaker, emerged from beneath their cloaks, wands pointed directly at the Ministry's executioner, who was rigid on the floor.

Lupin and Sirius were waiting for Tonks to finish descending, taking her gently under the arms as she landed, unconscious. Before they could do anything else a group of wizards arrived from the benches – Mediwizards who had been watching the events. Leaving Tonks to their care, the two Marauders walked back to Harry, who was gazing groggily at Snape, cornered by the two Aurors. Dumbledore had marched over to Bode and Croaker, who were lifting the petrified body of Macnair between them, after a whispered conversation they took the captured Death Eater through the door.

'Take him away,' Fudge said to the Aurors guarding Snape, 'and someone get me an uncorrupted source of Veritaserum – we will get to the bottom of this!'

'What the hell is he on about?' Sirius muttered to Lupin, who was still warily gripping his wand. 'Remus?'

'Just stay close to Harry,' Lupin replied softly, 'this was not part of Dumbledore's plan.'

Noticing the two Aurors moving in on Snape, who was still leaning calmly against the wooden bench beneath Fudge, Dumbledore strode back over, fixing his piercing gaze on the Minister. 'What is the meaning of this, Cornelius?' he demanded, 'we have given you your proof.'

'From him!' Fudge spat, waving an arm at Snape. 'a Death Eater?'

'He is only a Death Eater by their proof,' Madam Bones said to Fudge, 'stop this foolishness, Cornelius.'

'NO!' roared the red-faced wizard, 'I have had enough of this subversion! Enough! I want some Veritaserum from a credible source – credible! Not one of Dumbledore's cretins! AND WILL YOU ARREST THAT MAN!' he yelled the last order at the Aurors, who immediately began to close on Snape.

'You cannot put Harry though another dose of the serum, Cornelius,' Dumbledore continued. His voice was quiet in the chamber, whose occupants were watching the two wizards with an increasing sense of horror, 'it will endanger him.'

'That wasn't serum, I know your tricks – that was just enough to scare an innocent man away – as was your unprovoked attack!' Standing now, Fudge narrowed his gaze and cast a look at Sirius, who stiffened under the Minister's gaze. 'And you're also flagrantly protecting a murderer in our midst – maybe even two,' he added, his stare also passing over Harry, who was still slumped in the chair.

'Cornelius,' Dumbledore said quietly, 'may I point out that seconds before that innocent man you speak of fled, you tried to have him arrested? And if you doubt the truth of the Veritaserum, perhaps you could have it tested on a volunteer? Or maybe yourself?' Dumbledore added with a familiar twinkle in his eyes.

'Veritaserum can be beaten!' Fudge snapped, 'especially by one who could beat the Imperius Curse!'

'That depends on the caster, Cornelius, you should know that power is all that matters.' Dumbledore made the sentence gravely, but Sirius noticed the twinkle in the old wizard's eyes remained.

'And everyone knows that You-Know-Who is the most powerful wizard of our time!' Fudge declared triumphantly, 'If the boy can beat that then he can beat Veritaserum.'

A sudden intake of breath echoed over the courtroom as every person present drew in a breath at Fudge's statement.

'I believe we're done here,' Dumbledore said to Madam Bones in the silence, before turning his back on the trembling Minister and the rest of the Wizengamot.

'You aren't done yet!' Fudge retorted, 'I am not dismis–'

'That's enough!' Madam Bones snapped, 'I am closing these proceedings – immediately.' Fudge turned and gawped at her, but she continued speaking. 'Severus Snape is no more a Death Eater than I,' she declared, loud enough for the entire assembly to hear, 'as such he is free to go.' She took a deep breath, 'So is Sirius Black, although I ask that you return for a full hearing leading up to the events involving the deaths of Lily and James Potter, and the de…disappearance…of Peter Pettigrew.' Looking down at Sirius, he nodded in reply to which she responded in like.

'Y-you can't!' Fudge stuttered, his regained voice trembling, 'I will authorise no such –'

'You are in no position to authorise anything, Cornelius,' Madam Bones replied, 'I am ordering you to step down – you are in no fit state to govern this council.' She glared at the wizard until he sat down, the colour draining from his face. Turning to the Auror standing beside her, she began giving orders for the arrest of Malfoy and Pettigrew.

'Well,' Dumbledore said happily, facing the others, 'that went better than I expected.' Flicking his wand at Harry, he took the Sonorus charm off him. He continued smiling as Mr. Weasley and Kingsley walked down from the benches, their faces halfway between frowning and smiling.

'You've made some enemies here, Dumbledore,' Kingsley said, his voice low in the bustle of the chamber, 'but I think we've a few more friends now as well.'

'All of which is the least of my concern right now,' Dumbledore said lightly, turning to Sirius and addressing him. 'I suggest you take your godson home.'

'Home…' Harry whispered, grinning up at his godfather through the haze, 'I'd like to go there…'

A/N: My continued thanks go to those betas of greatness evil, Kvader and Bart, whose continued support has resulted in Fudge going more insane, the nickname for the chapter (The John Grisham Scene!), the carpet type in Grimmauld Place and the right kind of doors on the lifts in the Ministry.

Oh, and keeping it all neat and tidy with excellent points about spellings, canon and grammar.

But mostly evil.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed,

yoda