Disclaimer: See Chapter I, you know the drill

One final note: if anyone reading this is also a fan artist, please feel free to draw any character from this work in any way you feel like going at it. Just make sure you drop a review telling where the image can be viewed.

Again sorry for the delay, but have reached a 100 reviews, and am taking into account some of the things that were pointed out. This chap was one of the hardest to write and have a newfound respect for guys like John Grisham. On another note I am somewhat angry at ff.net due to their POS decision to purge fics of chaps just for author's notes, as I really worked on those essays that I had before. Ah well, shit happens.

Also, if you don't like things to turn dark, well, they'll be getting real dark, real soon. This may be one of the few chaps left where…well, just read.

Chapter XXIX: For Friendship

Harry stood in front of the mirror and ran his hand along his chin, the events of the previous evening running through his mind like clockwork. Eyes searching blankly, Harry felt the texture of his skin, and wondered if he should have slept more. Judging by how his face looked at the moment that appeared to be the case.

After Ginny had stormed off, Harry had locked the door and proceeded to get pissed…royally. Harry had run through heavens knew how many bottles, and with the aid of a handy null-Apparation generator Moody had give him, done so without any interference. Moody had told him as he was given it that the last thing Harry would care for was a gang of Death Eaters to Apparate in his bedroom whilst he slept to do him much physical harm. Harry scoffed at the notion (after all, he slept lightly and with wand and dagger under his pillow these days), but had to admit it made a handy tool if you wanted to get drunk. And that was precisely what Harry had done, though his attempt to find solace in the bottle had failed miserably. He had spent the night in a daze of disturbed nightmare as he conjured image upon image of just what the hell would happen with Voldemort possessing him. For a brief moment, he had wildly considered taking his Browning and saving Voldemort the trouble, but had been so inebriated that one moment he had been getting up from against the desk he had been sitting under (in his state, it had seemed a great place to sit, despite the plush chair and bed next to it), and the next he had found his pocket watch chiming softly as it struck 0400, with himself laying crashed on the floor.

At most, Harry had slept three hours, and drunk who knew how much liquor. In short, he would be going to court half-in-the-bag hung-over and deprived of sleep. Not good, not good at all, but Harry had learned how to make oneself presentable from a fine stable of Her Majesty's drunks, whore-chasers, and assorted lunatics and got to work. Despite the fact his joints felt as though they were welded shut, his head about to fall off, and his eyeballs burning, Harry had showered (he was fortunate in that he had one of the larger suites in the house, and unlike last time had his own private bath), shaved, and chugged down Blood Bath. Blood Bath was a special concoction Alex had shown him consisting of an anti-hangover potion, muggle aspirin, and a splash of Boccardi rum and cranberry juice for flavor. It was a vile, nasty brew, but as with everything Alex did with such material things, it hit the spot.

Physically, Harry felt loads better, but mentally he was bleak and raging at himself. Partly over Podmore getting slotted, but mostly because it really, really bothered him about Ginny. Harry had never raised his voice at her, and it frightened him for as a man who had become accustomed to violence, he knew full well that that wasn't far off when emotions reached the boiling point and things went physical. The mere idea of him raising a hand against her disgusted him, intensely. After a long shower, he had spent his time shaving, taking things slows, thinking of just what the fuck he was going to do with himself. Just when it seemed he had shit sorted; something else seemed to rise out of the mists and fucked it all over again…

"You going to stand there all day, lad? Or you gonna make something of yourself?"

Harry spun around, and saw his uncle staring in a corner of his room, looking at him nonchantedly. In his right hand was Harry's Browning, in his left, his wand. Alex shook his head slowly, and said, "Sloppy lad, sloppy." Walking over to Harry, he placed the pistol and wand on the dresser and spoke softly, "Were I a hostile, I would be using that razor on your dresser to remove that scar you have and earn myself a hefty reward from the Dark Lord. Need I go on?" Harry could sense the message, yet he didn't care nonetheless.

"How the fuck did you get in here?"

Alex nodded his head toward a small door Harry had tried opening, only to find it blocked by a wall of wood. Harry presumed that it had once been a cupboard or closet and had been blocked off for who know what. Basically, he had seen it, labeled it harmless, and forgotten all about it. Obviously, it wasn't that harmless judging by the fact his uncle was in a room Harry had sealed against Apparation, locked magically, and charmed securely against magical eavesdropping.

"Moved the furniture around the storage room a bit, greased the hinges and lock, and opened. Any other silly questions?"

Harry didn't reply, and stared at his uncle blankly. With the way his mind was working, it wasn't arousing his curiosity to ask just how the hell Alex seemed to know everything so well. Alex gave him a hard look for a minute, and then softened. "Ginny seemed rather upset that you wouldn't talk to her or your friends. Got into a tiff, you two did, now did you?" Harry looked down at his feet, not trusting himself to reply. Alex continued, "I take it was for that more so then the other that you got pissed wasn't it? Or was it a bit of both?" Harry only nodded. Alex laid a hand on his shoulder, and shook him gently. "Steady lad, steady. It get physical or what?"

"Nah, but…" Harry couldn't go on, but his uncle seemed to understand.

"It's all right, fights happen. It's the nature of the beast, as even I fought with my Liz time to time. All part of being a man. Understand?"

"No"

Alex laughed, and then his face grew serious. He brushed away at a bit of dust on Harry's shirt, and said, "Nonetheless, control what's going on in you as you got some important shit up ahead. Think you can control yourself?"

Harry closed his eyes, breathed deeply to help expel the thoughts of self-disgust at his conduct towards those he loved, and nodded at his uncle. Alex seemed satisfied with the answer, as he picked up Harry's coat from where it lay on his bed and tossed it over. "Look sharp, Harry. You're going before the magistrates, and they don't appreciate those who aren't dressed by Pat Cox. 'Course, it tain't like they can send you to Queen Liz's army now can they?" Harry smiled at the old joke, as even the British army no longer cleared the country's jails for thugs, hooligans, and lunatics to fight for Queen and country.

Feeling a surge of hope, he quickly finished dressing, and paused, as he was about to put on his weapons. Giving his uncle a quizzical look, Harry received a nod, and the explanation reiterated that no matter the situation, he was to be armed in some way or another at all times. Alex told him that when he was searched at the Ministry, they would deal with the situation when it came up. Until then, he was to be armed. As for the Ministry… "Considering who'll be playing barrister for you, don't sweat it."

"Who's that?"

"The Headmaster, who else? Think Albus would leave you in trouble? Not bloody likely."

Harry smiled weakly, for he knew that as soon as something happened Dumbledore would be involved. Just as he was about to ask how his headmaster would help him out, Alex put a hand on his arm and gently steered him towards the door.

"Come on, lad, no time to fuck about. 'Sides, your mates are waiting downstairs." Together, overcoats in hand, they went outside in the hallway and then to the kitchen. Mad-Eye Moody and Mudungus Fletcher were sitting at the table, equally well dressed and wands out on the table. The rest of the Weasley clan, Sirius, and Remus were seated around the table, eating breakfast quietly, and with much less banter then in previous years. Arthur Weasley had been reading a copy of the Daily Prophet when he looked up at Harry, and smiled. "Morning, Harry, did you get any sleep?" Harry was slightly distracted, for he tried to get eye contact with Ginny, and she had merely stared into her bowl of corn flakes, and continued spooning her food. The twins were rather subdued, and seemed to find the top of the table an interesting sight to watch; Ron looked up at Harry, and tried to say something though words seemed to fail him.

After a moment, Harry remembered that Mr. Weasley was talking him to, and that he really should answer, as the Weasleys' had always been good to him. Not to mention the fact entered his mind that the more he continued to stare at Ginny, the quicker the whole game would become unglued. No matter how bad their troubles were, Harry knew he always would love her more then his own life. Indeed, the past several months that they had been going out and seeing each other had been easily one of the greatest moments of his life, and nothing else much mattered to him.

He had once tried to talk it over with Alex, to figure things out. Alex had laughed at him, and then got serious. "Love, lad, is something you only know when you feel it. Try to understand how it works, and the more it will confuse you, though it really should be simple, for when you feel it, you'll know it and know that that it is permanent." Harry had taken his words to heart, and he and Ginny's relationship had been a bright shining star.

Until the previous night, but...

Harry smiled, and took up a seat next to Alistair. Ginny was on his left flank and it was due to that, that Harry sat next to Ginny, as he knew that should she want to him to be close. Besides, Ginny and he still had a game to play, and to ensure that Voldemort and his vermin were in the dark, he would have to use any means at his disposal to ensure that his friends remained in the dark as well. After all, that was how the rules played in the real world, as the less people knew of anything that had to be kept secret, the less likely it was that something dramatic could occur.

"Some, but I'm a bit nervous. Is there any word, sir, on just how this trial is to proceed?"

Arthur ran a hand through his and said, "Not sure, as Fudge is calling for a closed door session of the Wizengamot…"

"Full or partial court, Arthur?" This was Alex, who was sipping a cup of tea provided by Molly Weasley. Harry was lost by what his uncle was asking Arthur, yet paid attention. Ginny glanced over at him, and asked quietly as Alex and Arthur started talking, with Arthur standing from the table to speak with Alex, of the intricacies of magical law enforcement and wizard law, "Done being stupid, or did you drink it off?" Mrs. Weasley was busy making breakfast (she insisted on Harry eating, and Harry knew he had no choice as this could very well be his last meal as a free man), and it was only the twins, Ron, and Ginny sitting next to him. Ginny's voice almost Snape-like in its acidity.

Harry bit off a sharp retort he had brewing, and said, "Both." He leaned back into his chair, and looked around the table. Shrugging, he spoke, "Sorry for being a prat last night." Part of him thought he should say more, but what else could you say if you just discovered that at any moment a homicidal dark wizard could gain possession of your bloody mind, and use your body with you being an outside observer at best?

Not wanting to push the issue, Harry leaned back and took a look around. Ron seemed to be easing up and the twins, shrugging, seemed to be talking quietly over a piece of parchment. Ginny, though, still seemed angry. She glared at him, and Harry turned his eyes toward his uncle and Arthur, pretending to listen to them though his mind was still on the rather boiling relationship he was having over Ginny. Harry, for his part, was trying to think of a way he could communicate with Ginny, that he was sorry more then anything else in the world, and to beg forgiveness. Yet he knew that as he tried to think of a way, that there wasn't going to be a way and that the mettle of their relationship would be tested.

It wasn't too long before the test began as a pop sounded in the other room, and Dumbledore entered.  The headmaster smiled at Harry and the rest, and shook his head as Molly offered him breakfast. He seemed unperturbed by the fact he had lost a good man the night before; this angered Harry before he realized that Dumbledore was probably hardened to losing people under his command, and that his grief was locked up for another time.

Dumbledore sat down between Arthur and Alistair, and filled a teacup with tea. Not bothering to put any sweets in it, he drank the Earl Grey straight. Arthur cleared his throat, and asked, "Is there any news from the Minister, Albus?" Dumbledore nodded his head, and looked over at Harry.

"There will be a closed door hearing of the Wizengamot, though it will be full court." The adults seemed to be relieved at this development, though Harry, with his miniscule knowledge of wizard law, didn't know what was going on, and was having to place his trust, indeed his life, in the hands of Dumbledore and Alex. Harry didn't mind, as he trusted both implicitly.

The relief on the adults didn't last too long as Dumbledore looked over at Harry, and told him, his voice grave, "Harry, one of the conditions is that you are to be questioned under the Veritaserum. It will be administered by a Department of Magical Law Enforcement interrogation team, and it will last as long as the hearing." Silence reigned in the room, as the magnifications of what was said sank in.

Harry felt numb, for he fully realized what was at risk. There were his professional considerations, as the entire spectrum of Hogwarts security would be visible for the world to be seen, the undoubtedly illegal training his uncle had put him through, and the countless times over the years he had broken so many rules that were it up to Snape, he would have been expelled dozens of times over. More importantly, though, was the fact his relationship with Ginny would become public, and the danger to her, bad as it was being a member of the Weasley family and her brother's friendship with Harry, would increase by that much more.

The numbness went, and for the first time in a long time, Harry felt the beginnings of panic, for all of the actions, all of skulduggery and deceit he done over the course of the school year had been to protect Ginny, and now, as it appeared his relationship with her was about to go up in flames, it was going to go public and she would become that much more of a target.

Alex, though, came through. "Albus, why don't you allow a joint questioning as there are certain matters Harry is privy to which must not become public. Especially the intelligence related aspects of his position, as well as certain other details in regards to his personal life which should not be questioned due to the danger they would pose to others." The headmaster smiled sadly, "I've already discussed it with Fudge. He will only grant us the capability to do that only with the approval of Amelia Bones." Alex nodded, "Well, at least with her we'll be able to get as close to a fair hearing as we can possibly get with Fudge in charge of it."

Harry didn't know what else to do, but nod, and pretend confidence. Glancing over at Ginny, he could see that she had softened up, but Harry was willing to bet she was still riled over the whole thing. He knew that he loved her; he only hoped that she loved him, no, that her love was strong enough to withstand the tests that Harry was sure to occur.

*      *       *

An hour later, Harry found himself walking through a rubbish filled alley near Whitehall with Arthur Weasley. Moody, Shacklebolt, and Diggle were providing security around them and would remain with them until they were in the Ministry. Alex had gone ahead with the headmaster to handle some of the legal preliminaries. Molly was taking the rest of the family via the Floo network to support Harry, except for Sirius, who had to stay behind as apparently the magical and muggle bureaucracies were alike in that they didn't allow pets in the building, ruling out the possibility that they could bring the 'family dog' to the proceedings. Harry appreciated the support, knew that it was a sign just how much of a family they had become to him, but he wondered what Molly and Arthur would do once she heard about some of the shit he pulled. As for Ginny...

The concept of losing her had started to sink in, and it hurt badly to say the least. Harry known physical pain, disappointment, but this small taste was so much worse...

She loves you, nothing will change that...

They exited from the alley into a narrow street that didn't look too healthy. There was a dilapidated-looking reddish phone box, a wall of graffiti, a pub that might very well have been a twin of the Leaky Cauldron, and a few unattractive offices whose services were hidden by the grime covering the windows. Moody and security element took up positions along the street, while Harry and Arthur entered the box. Arthur punched in a few numbers, telling him how the Ministry once had to place memory charms on a bunch of people when a group of squibs had been mistakenly told to arrive at the Ministry as a group. Harry memorized the numbers, and as he laughed with the stupidity of the bureaucracy, he thought to himself.

Six, two, double four, two…Magic…Very funny

Harry watched as the view slowly sunk into the ground as it seemed like the box was sinking into the ground. "Sir, how does this work?"

Arthur smiled and said, "Simple levitation spell, while we have a levitation spell that makes it look like nothing has happened."

One minute, and the lift stopped, surrounded by walls of cobblestone. A cool woman's voice asked for their business, and when Arthur stated their business, a silver badge appeared with Harry's name, and purpose in the Ministry in the change slot of the phone. Harry pinned it on, feeling ridiculous as it looked like something one found in the bottom of a cereal box, but as soon as he put it on the door opened. Exiting, Harry stopped and took a moment to take a good long look around.

They had entered a long hallway with a shiny hardwood floor, with the 'lift' as Harry thought of it forming the right end of a long, rectangular hallway. On the left wall of the hallway was lined with fireplaces, the metalwork gilded, through which groups of harried looking arrived while equally harried looking individuals went up in clouds of Floo powder in the fireplaces along the right wall. At the opposite end of the hallway was a set of golden gates, beyond which appeared to be another hallway. Next to the gates was a small station where a blue-robed wizard was doing something with wands. Harry knew that that was the security station for visitors into the Ministry, as Moody had briefed him before they had left.

Harry and Arthur walked down the hallway, Harry admiring the effects of the blue ceiling and its swirling golden designs of stars and moons. They passed a gilded water fountain of a wizard, witch, centaur, goblin, and house-elf, and Harry saw that like muggle fountains that the bottom was filled with coins for charity. Harry, ever a polite one, took a couple of bronze Knuts from his pocket and tossed them in.

At the gates, the wizard pulling stag (British soldier's slang for guard duty) had Harry divest himself of his wand, weapons, and empty his pockets. Harry did so, and held his arms out as the wizard ran a golden rod scanner-like over his body, and then registered his wand at the station, which was a simple matter of placing on some sort of scale looking thing, and having the guard (introduced to him as Eric Munch) examine it. For what, Harry didn't know though he was sure it was only to record the magical signature all wands have. The wand returned to him, but was informed that the other weapons would be held for him until his business was completed in the Ministry. Harry complied, as he wasn't totally unarmed with his wand…and a quill that he had made extra sharp.

Arthur and Harry went down the hallway, and got in one of the lifts. Besides them were various wizards and witches, all of who looked as though they were busy and doing things. None of them gave Harry a second glance, though a few of them greeted Arthur. One of the more interesting characters was a wizard holding what looked like a traveling case for a pet. Judging by the flames that were coming forth from it occasionally, Harry had no doubt that it sure as hell wasn't a kitty cat, and that odds were Hagrid would feel at home with it.

At Second Floor, they got off, and went through another hallway into an area Harry saw was the headquarters for the Aurors' division, which was a large room full of cubicles largely reminiscent of a detectives bullpen found in any large-scale police department. Harry mentioned this, as it seemed as though it looked too easy for any investigation to lose its confidentiality based on the rather open atmosphere. Arthur explained that there was a system in place that magically encrypted each document, including the intra-office papers that flew around like paper airplanes. Additionally, most casework took place outside of the Ministry, in the field.

Next to the Aurors' offices was Arthur's office, where Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, the boys, and Ron and Hermione were waiting. According to Dumbledore and Alex, their court time wasn't for another two more hours, since it was scheduled for 1100, and it had been planned so that they could have some time to play with should it be needed.

That wasn't the case as Mrs. Weasley hurriedly informed them that the time had been changed to 0900; the time being 0905. Arthur looked flustered for a minute and then thanked his wife, kissed her, and said he was going to escort Harry to the courtroom. Molly Weasley gave him a hug and told him all was going to be all right. Ginny smiled at him, and told him the same.

Harry saw in her eyes the same worry as right after the firefight in the Broomsticks. Afraid that he would give the game up, he smiled back, and followed Arthur back to the lift, and got off at the last floor, which was merely listed as 'Department of Mysteries'. Arthur led him through a hallway, and next to a single black door at the end of it, they went down to another level via the staircase. Arthur was starting to lose his cool, and they were all but running now to Courtroom Ten, which he told Harry was where his case was to be examined. They reached the final, or what he presumed was the final level, in the Ministry, which was a series of rooms with heavy wooden doors, dead bolts, and locks. In all, not too much different then any prison he knew of.

Better get used to it, Harry my lad, that could be sights you'll be seeing for the rest of you life, Harry thought to himself wryly. At the door marked with a Roman numeral ten, Arthur wished him good luck, and told him he couldn't enter as the visitor's badge was enchanted to door, so that only Harry could enter. Harry thanked him, and tried to shake his hand, and was instead embraced by Mr. Weasley. As he headed towards the door, Arthur stopped him, and had him pin on the medal he had won during his second year. Him and Ron, for slaying the basilisk, and saving Ginny…

Wonder if I'll see her again…

Harry put that thought out of his mind, as for all he knew he could be placed under Legilimancy the second he entered the room. There was a mission of sorts at hand, and he needed his game face on. Besides, if today was going to be his last day as a free man, and the bastards out there won this one, he was going to have them remember that the son of James Potter and Lilly Evans went out with guts of steel. His face set, he touched one of the doors, which opened of its own accord, and went in.

To his surprise, he found himself in a setting that he found familiar, but couldn't place. However, that was only for a minute as he saw that he was in the same room as the vision he had seen the previous year in Dumbledore's office. Before him were the rows of seats that rose above him, quite a few filled with people in plum-colored robes with a gold badge that had a silver 'W' in old English on it. The front row was still several feet above the ground floor, and Harry deduced that must be where the governors sat. At least, he recognized one of them: the scowling face of Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. On Fudges right was a serious-looking old woman with a monocle in her left eye. To Fudge's left sat a toad-like looking woman. Harry presumed that she was Umbridge, after remembering Arthur Weasley's description of her as a human tapeworm.

On the other side of the courtroom sat his uncle, and the headmaster. The expression of Dumbledore whilst Alex looked his usual: absolutely confident. Harry saw that and tried to copy him further.

"Do you realize that you are almost half an hour late?" Fudge asked scathingly to Harry. Harry had to bite down a smile, as Fudge trying to appear cold, and all-powerful was failing miserably. Snape did a far more capable job…

"Yes, and for which I apologize to the court for my tardiness, of which I have no excuse." Harry spoke as he went over to one of the chairs, and stood in front of it. Fudge seemed taken aback, and then motioned for him to take a seat. Harry did so and leaned back to stair into the faces of the court. Most stared down at him in frank curiosity, though Harry was able to see that quite a few were openly hostile. He tried the staring trick Alex had, hoping that he would give the impression he was mean fully looking into the faces of the whole court. Harry recognized the room then as the one he had seen in Dumbledore's Pensieve the previous year

Fudge cleared his throat as Harry sat, and began the proceedings. "This session of the Wizangamot is called on the 27th of December, 1995 to hear charges against Harold James Potter, henceforth to be known as the accused. The charges are two counts of assault on officers of the Ministry of Magic Department of Law Enforcement, breaches of the various by-laws in regards to underage magical use, and additional breaches of magical law concerning the exposure of our world to the…What is it Mister Evans?" Fudge was clearly irritated as he had barely begun and already there it looked like there would be problems with the case as Alex raised a hand.

"I believe the charges concerning the exposure of our world should be dropped based on questioning of the subject and examination by myself, and retired Auror Alistair Moody of the crime scene."

"How so?" This was the monocled woman, who seemed to be interested in what Alex had to say. Alex nodded, and in a short five minute discourse presented the fact the whole engagement took place in a dark alley, in the wee hours of the morning, and subsequent examination of the area ensure that there had been no other people within site of the alley for at least two hours after the fight. Alex concluded, "Therefore, these charges have no basis, and should be dismissed out of hand, Madam Bones" Harry figured out that this was Susan Bones's aunt or was it grandmother? Regardless, she was the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, which included the Detectives Bureau, and the Auror's Division. Next to the Minister himself, she probably was the second most influential in the British wizard world.

Bones nodded, and replied, "Agreed, though I must let it be stated for the record that I am not surprised considering how the case was removed from the jurisdiction of the Department of Law Enforcement and to that of the Minister of Magic almost as soon as it occurred." The last bit was obviously directed to the Minister, who scowled, and said, "Nonetheless…"

"Nonetheless, Minister, you recall Article III of the Charter of Wizard Law Enforcement? That the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has final authority of a case in regards to evidentiary grounds?" Fudge looked angry, and then cleared his throat as he declared that the various charges in regards to breaking the laws of secrecy, but that they would hear evidence in regards to the other charges. The Ministry called forth its witnesses, notably Percy Weasley and Amos Diggory from the Office of the Minister. Harry was pleased to see them, as each was called forth, to either limp, or in the case of Percy, be minus a few teeth.

Amos was first, and didn't look at Harry as he walked through the doors behind Harry and stood before the court. His testimony told a simple enough story: As part of their ongoing investigation into the Triwizard Tournament, they had been following Harry Potter after he had been spotted, wholly by chance, by members of the Detectives Bureau on Oxford Street. From there, he had been followed until Diggory and Percy Weasley had arrived to take up the chase. Potter had been followed to bar in the East End carrying a briefcase, said briefcase was deposited there, and they had followed him from there into the alley where both Percy and Amos had been subsequently been ambushed. Diggory gave much mention to the fact it appeared that Potter had consumed about a quart of a gin during his meal.

He ended his testimony by only then giving Harry a look of utter contempt, but that was wiped off his face as Madam Bones tore into his testimony. Apparently the whole concept of a special unit operating on her turf, doing things that the DMLE (Department of Magical Law Enforcement) normally handled such as surveillance, angered her severely. She gave the statement that the whole approach had been reckless, and amateur. When Fudge came to Diggory's defense, she icily responded that if real agents had handled the case, they wouldn't have been seen during their surveillance, much less thrashed by a drunken fifteen year-old.

Alex finished Diggory's testimony when it turned out that there had been no written orders, only verbal ones. The Charter specifically stated written orders were needed, and without them, a whole new dimension was opened up as they, instead of Harry, were breaking Wizard Law. This argument was upheld by Bones.

Percy didn't fare too better, as he made much of the fact he had been attacked for no reason. Alex pointedly asked if he had drawn his wand without warning; Percy wound up looking highly discomforted as it became clear that without proper, written authorization he wasn't operating as a legally armed wizard. Indeed, as it was pointed out by Alex, he was no better then a common criminal under those circumstances. He wound up heading to the stands with his tail between his legs much the same way Diggory had.

Harry understood what was going on, for it became apparent that without the proper authorization, then he could claim self-defense. Yes it was a technicality, yes it didn't exactly show him to be innocent, and it was a long shot just by the virtue of what it was, but it was the only shot he had. Not to mention the fact…

"Mister Potter, the court wishes to hereby question you whilst under the influence of Veritaserum. Are you aware of what that is?" This was Madame Bones, as Minister Fudge seemed to be turning as purple as his bowler with rage over how the proceedings were going.

Before he could answer, Dumbledore rose, "Before that occurs, I must ask that special care in regards to questions concerning his personal life, as well as that of the security of the school be taken." Bones raised an eyebrow, and asked in turn, "I can understand questions in regards to the security of the school, as I, as well as the Minister," she gestured to the Minister, who was now only glaring at Harry and not doing anything else in the proceedings, "but why any in regards to Mister Potter's personal life?"

Dumbledore looked her in the eye, his face expressionless, "I believe I have already informed the Wizengamot as to the current status of the wizard world, and the danger in it." Fudge started to rise, and it appeared he was going to yell, but Harry decided now was the time to chance it, and roll the dice…

"Ma'am, I'm fully aware of the effects of the potion, and am willing to answer any questions. However, I ask that none be asked of my private life as I would sooner not have any of the people involved be exposed to any undue attention." Bones shook her head, and replied, "We need testimony in regards to your character…However, I am willing to grant a hold on a specific person and period of questioning if you have a significant other. Is that the case, and if so, from about when?"

"Yes, and from around mid-October of this year." That wasn't exactly true, but he figured he had truly started when he gave up Cho, and that was about then. Bones nodded, and it was then a wizard in black entered from the door behind him. One of them Harry recognized as Boderick Bode of the Department of Mysteries, and it was Bode who told him to open his mouth as he removed a small vial and carefully placed three drops on Harry's tongue.

Harry started to feel…strange. Out of curiosity, he tried moving his limbs and found he had complete control of them. He could still think, yet, he felt as though his whole body was…numb. Almost as though he had no control, yet he obviously still did. So that meant…

"Name?"

"Harold James Potter" It came from Harry's mouth even as he tried to say Harry Potter. So that is how it is…, he marveled. Apparently, he could still think, but he had no control of what he could say. Kind of like being trashed as Doc would put it, he thought wryly. So, all he could do, and which he basically did, was lean back, and enjoy the ride.

Perhaps enjoy was too strong of a word, as they went far and wide into their questioning. Starting with his child-hood, they delved into areas that he never thought to examine. Life with the Dursley's, with its very thin line between child abuse. How the Boy-Who-Lived damn near didn't make it into Hogwarts. Then came his Hogwarts years.

First year wasn't that bad, in all truth. He hadn't broken very many rules, and one grizzled looking character in the court seemed to be nodding his head in approval when it was told of the final rush to save the Philosopher's Stone. Now, second year though…

"You mean to tell me you brewed Polyjuice Potion, used it to infiltrate another house, gather information, and extricate yourself, all the time undetected?" This was Madame Bones, whose face was expressionless. Harry wondered if she was pissed, or what. Then a thought entered his mind, even as his mouth answered yes. To hell with her, if they take away my wand and throw me out of Hogwarts, I'll enlist as soon as I can and…what then? His train of thought stopped as he saw the Director nod her head, and complement him and his friends on a creative gambit, and more importantly, not get caught while executing it.

Third year was a bit harder to do. Alex was getting up, protesting a lot of questions. Questions such as how he snuck into Hogsmeade so many times, the routes into and out of the castle, and a very pointed discussion on how him and Hermione Granger had freed a dangerous animal and a fugitive of the law. An ugly looking fight was looking quite likely as Alex icily asked Fudge if he really believed Harry would allow the alleged betrayer of his parents to escape unless he had good reason. "Of course, the court is fully aware of the evidence myself, Frank Longbottom, and Elizabeth Falkirk presented to the Wizengamot in the spring of 81 concerning your own activities during the Five Case, and little obviously has changed." Fudge was only stopped by Bones, who asked Harry questions in regards to his fourth year.

That route was stopped rather quickly by Fudge, who informed the court that any and all events of that year were under investigation by the Office of the Minister of Magic. He also added, doubtless as a warning to Bones that the Minister's Review of government officials was also arriving in mid-January. Fudge took over from there, questioning Harry about his summer. Much was made of the fact he had trained to kill, and even more when it came out he had killed at least one, maybe two or three, people in Wales during that little firefight.

Nonetheless, Alex did a good job showing them it was killed or be killed, and if anyone was to blame it was himself for taking him into a position of such danger. Yet, things probably reached the breaking point when Harry was grilled on his personal life, as apparently even the recent events in Hogsmeade were off-limits and Fudge refused to have any other questions asked about the whole school year.

"How old are you, Mister Potter?"

"Fifteen years, four months, and …"

"Have you ever been on…intimate relations with a woman?"

"Yes."

"More then one?"

"Yes."

A murmur rose through the crowd, though Harry could see quite a few of the wizards were grinning, whilst a few of the witches were laughing or otherwise shocked. Well, that can't be helped, as I am the Boy Who Lived, not a bloody eunuch! Harry thought to himself wryly. Harry wound up laughing mentally as he heard himself describe how he had spent most of the summer engaged in fornication…a lot of it…and enjoyed it too. Then the attention turned to the previous evening, and Harry described how he felt he had been followed, and after previous events he had undergone (Bones tried to ask just what events, but was silenced again by Fudge) he felt they were hostile and ambushed them. Harry wasn't sure, but he felt that the audience at least understood his motives for what he had done, even though they weren't told the parts in regards to Podmore.

Fudge at the end was scowling as he finished his questioning. Harry stood there, wondering if they were done, and it appeared quite likely since all three principals (himself, Diggory, and Percy) had testified, and there really wasn't that much evidence they could call forth. Dumbledore stood behind him, and told Fudge, "I shall be calling Harry's uncle, Professor  Evans, as a character witness…"

"Not possible due to the fact he is family. Anyone else, Dumbledore?" Fudge curtly interrupted him.

Alex rose, and offered Dumbledore as a character witness. This too was turned down, "Just what then are the requirements for a character witness for Mister Potter?" Alex was very upset to say the least. Fudge smiled indulgently, and informed him that the witness had to be of adult age (17+ years), and working for the Ministry. Instructors and faculty of Hogwarts were barred due to possible emotional attachment, as well as all family members. Additionally, the witness had to be ready to be called today. Harry could see that this was going to be a problem, as any adult who knew and worked for the Ministry was at great risk of punitive action on Fudge's part. Alex knew it too, and it seemed for once he might have to accept defeat. Harry could tell by the fact his jaw was set and he was staring daggers at Fudge.

Dumbledore though, had a different reaction. He sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, and said to Fudge, "We have a witness, and if you will allow me a moment?" Fudge seemed surprised, but Bones nodded. The Headmaster picked up a piece of paper, wrote on it, and tapped it with his wands. It turned into a paper airplane, took off, and vanished. Alex went over to Dumbledore and hurriedly whispered in his ear. Of what, Harry wasn't sure, but Dumbledore merely nodded, and Alex sat down.

Which was when the doors opened, and in walked a tall, shapely woman with black hair in a French braid. Harry took a look at her and thought, Nice…followed thereafter by I haven't met this lady in my life. She was dressed in a black skirt, blouse, and high heels with a woman's overcoat on her arm. Walking slowly, she gazed defiantly about the crowd, though when Harry met her eyes she gave me a smile. Harry somehow felt as though he had seen that smile somewhere before…Where though?

Can't be one of Meg's girls, I would remember…

"Name?"

"Abigail Perry, though that is an alias as I am currently an informant for the Auror's Division in regards to Death Eater activity. Which is why I am also under the Polyjuice Potion as well."

"Your relationship to the accused?"

She looked over at Harry, and smiled, "A very intimate one. I believe I was his first lady; isn't that right Harry?" Harry looked at her, and knew without a doubt then who she was. The way she had crossed her legs, folded her hands over each other, and the way her fingers tapped in sequence (middle, fore, pinky and ring) when she was bored answered it.

Alice

Harry felt a bit of cold lead form in him, as the whole picture became clear to him. She had disappeared in October to work for Dumbledore and his contacts in the Ministry. Auror's Division, which meant Lucius Malfoy, as Harry remembered all too well how the bastard had been talking about her in Meg's. Harry also knew that Malfoy's father was smarter then he was, and it wouldn't take much for him to figure out Alice from Meg's was the informant for the Ministry.

Harry looked at her, and there must have been something in his eyes for she shook her head. Damn it, Alice, if that sick fuck finds out who you are…

"You employment?" Bones was asking the questions now.

"I worked in Megs Courtesans, which is where I met the young gentleman."

"We need to ask only a few questions…"

"Mister Potter is one of the best men I've ever met. He does not deserve to be harassed in such a fashion as this."

This drew her the stares of the rest of the court. She stared back. Bones motioned for her to continue.

"Of all the customers I have had to be of service to over the years, only Harry became a friend to me. What he has done for me…Do you know just why I've said of him? For he defended me from a wizard when it wouldn't benefit him, for he believed I was a lady deserving to be treated with respect as well as any other."

"Whom did he defend you from?" Dumbledore's voice was gentle, and tired at the same time.

"Lucius Malfoy"

A uproar arose in the court, as they fully realized that Malfoy must have been a customer of hers in order for something to have happened. Fudge started yelling for order, and after a few minutes, it quieted down enough that Fudge curtly dismissed the witness. Yet before she did so, Alex rose from his chair. "You've placed your life in danger by coming here to testify, based on your current employment." He ran a hand through his hair, and asked, "Why?"

Alice looked at him, and then over at Harry before replying softly.

 "Harry is my friend, perhaps the only one I've ever had. Wouldn't you defend yours?"

With that, she continued her way out of the courtroom.

*     *      *

Harry waited patiently as he stood before the empty rows of seats. The Wizengamot had left the courtroom as they debated his fate. Harry felt a few worms of fear wriggling in his gut. Alex and the Headmaster had done the best they could for him, and if he didn't get off then that was just how the cards played. In the event they shipped his ass of to Azkaban, he didn't have any regrets…Well, there was one.

I'm sorry Ginny, sorry for how I yelled. I only hope that you can forgive me for what I did, and accept that it was in the heat of the…

Harry's admittedly self-destructive train of thought came to an end as the Wizengamot filed back into the courtroom. Fudge seemed angry, while Bones was non-commital. Harry felt a surge of hope go through his breast.

Sure enough, it was Bones who gave the announcement: Not guilty on all counts due to the illegal nature of the people pursuing him. Harry had used magic in self-defense, and was excused from it this time. Bones though warned him that next time he wouldn't be so lucky, and told him he was dismissed with the full apologies of the court.

Harry sighed as Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder, and said something to him that he didn't pay attention to. Someone was shaking him, and Harry turned to it. It was his uncle, who was smiling. Alex saw his nephew look at him in question, and he pointed towards the doors. Harry turned and saw the Weasley clan coming through the doors. Arthur and Molly, the twins, his best mate Ron, Hermione (When did she come back? Harry thought), and his fiery headed (and tempered, he thought) lady, Ginny. Harry could see that she was behind the rest of her family, but he saw in her face happiness and joy, and what he hoped was forgiveness.

For there before him, with him, was his family and his friends, and he was there, a free man thanks to them, and a friend.