Chapter 14

Jury Adjourned

'You've brought her.' Dumbledore himself was very pale.'Very well" he added, 'the acused being here, let us begin.' He declared.

Disciplinary hearing of the twenty-fourth of June' Dumbledore spoke crisply, though somehow comfortingly, even with those few sparse words. Or perhaps it was only a sign of Hermione's abused mental state for the lengths at which she grasped for comfort from an old friend.

Dumbledore continued. 'For offences committed under the Decree of Restriction for Highly Potent Potions and Poisons by Hermione Jane Granger, we call her before us today.'

'Interrogators: Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock on the Wizgamount, Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magic Law Enforcement, Minerva Athena McGonagall, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic. Court Scribe, Percival Ignatius Weasley.' Dumbledore said scrutinizing the hall from behind his half-moon glasses.

'You have been brought in front of the Wizengamot by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement under the accusation of illegal position of possibly lethal substances.' He made a pregnant pause. 'The charges are that you knowingly, deliberately, and fully aware of the consequences, have acquired several illegal ingredients and materials with the purpose of using it in prohibited rituals.' And there was a ghost of a smile on his lips and his eyes.

'The ingredients have been found in her house, I believe the accusation is firmly based.' Lucius Malfoy spoke vehemently. He was seated in the first row, clearly enjoying the scene playing in front of him.

'I see you are anxious to have your go, Lucius…' Dumbledore said calmly, turning his gaze from the huddle of filthy robes that was now Hermione, to the smug Lucius Malfoy dressed, as always, in impeccable-looking robes.

'I simply don't want to be forced to listen to one of your fantastic stories to how the evidences magically appeared there. She has been questioned already and confessed all. Do you really think you'll make us believe faloidina naturally sprouts in her cupboard." And a series of chuckles answered to his comment, including a grin from the minister.

'You are quite right in your reasoning Lucius. The incriminating proof has been found, but since the search was made before the twelfth of June, the day on which decree 32 was put into effect, so for lack of further evidence I believe I feel bound to let Miss Granger go free.'

'Not so fast Albus, many were already prohibited, and though the law was different she has to be punished for the possession of such material.' Interrupted Fudge.

'Ah but here is the catch, Minister; they weren't in Miss Granger's possession; I believe the search was made into Mister Ronald Weasley's home, so I do not see the connection between the two.'

'Are you that old, Dumbledore?' Malfoy scoffed. 'He was hiding them for her; the Weasleys are rather good at hiding illegal artifacts.' He added callously.

"There is no proof of such statement, may I remind you, Mr. Malfoy? Mr. Weasley is the one who was found in possession of illegal substances, and that matter is a separate trial.'

At this Hermione's head snapped up. No, she wasn't going to let Ron take the blame for her stupidity. She was about to say something when she met Dumbledores fleeting, almost pleading look; he was pleading her to remain silent, to let him do the talking. He was going to solve it all, he was going to sort everything out, like always.

"So for lack of any convincing proof I await the verdict. All those in favour of clearing the witness of all charges?' said Dumbledore clearly.

To Hermione's surprise more than half of the people in there raised their hands. It appeared people were loyal to Dumbledore and not so easily bought by ever-loosening influence of Lucius Malfoy. It was a bitter feeling. She was no longer one of those people; she had betrayed Dumbledore, yet here he was, coming to her rescue.

"And those in favour of conviction.' Only a handful of people, including the minister and Lucius, raised their hands. 'Jury adjourned.'

faloidina is a toxic substance, found in poisonous mushrooms.

A.N. : Iknow this is not quite up to my usual lenghth, but the rest of itsoesn't seem to sit well on the same page with this part.