I'm so glad that I can finally give you the next in the series. Just know I've already read Book Six and have taken my notes. Now ... I can start to write it.

Thanks must go out to my team. My pre-reader Pienuniek and my Beta Alice's White Rabbit. I would be lost without the pair of you, truly.

I don't own Twilight, or Harry Potter, I'd be a richer person if I did. But I do so love to create my own places for them out in the world. No copyright infringement is intended.

See you at the bottom ...

Chapter Six ~ Disciplinary Hearing

It took a few minutes to determine that Minister Fudge wanted to make a statement. He had decided that not only would Harry face a disciplinary hearing, but he would do so in front of the entire Wizengamot and in a courtroom that had not been used in years.

Arthur shook his head as he led us out of his offices and back to the elevator. The whole time, he was thinking about how catastrophic it would have been had we missed the hearing.

I thought that was the whole point. And I wasn't the only one to think it.

We climbed back into the elevator only to go down one more floor. There was an ominous feeling as the elevator doors slid open to a corridor where the walls were bare; there were absolutely no windows or doors, except for one. One door at the end of the corridor that was as black as the walls around it. The only way you could tell it was a door was the fact that in the center, it had a large silver doorknob.

"No, Emmett. Not that way," Arthur called out when Emmett stepped toward the door, pulling Rose along with him. "We've still got to go down."

I frowned, as did Bella, and a few others. "Where?"

"This way." Arthur stepped off to the side of the elevator, and that's when I saw the gap in the wall I missed before.

The air that came up through this door was cold, stale. The rooms down there hadn't been used for a long while, and Arthur's muttering only confirmed that.

"I don't know what Fudge is thinking … not used in years … since the first war … why?"

Rose looked over to me, over Bella's head. I think that may be the point. This is a dramatic statement. One that says he's in control.

I nodded my head in agreement. Fudge wanted to scare Harry, possibly the Wizengamot, about stepping out of line or mentioning the return of Voldemort.

This reminds me of the dungeons at Hogwarts where Snape holds his own kind of court. Bella looked up at me. Again, I nodded in agreement as I stepped off the last step. This whole new corridor was exactly like the belly of Hogwarts. Cold, damp stones. Lit torches every few feet or so and doors with iron hinges and bolts with keyholes. This corridor is where the holding cells were, where the prisoners were kept, while waiting for their turn at a "fair trial".

Rose was right. This was a scare tactic, and a very efficient one as Harry had begun to shake, but he was also determined to see this through. To fight for his right to go to school and be the best wizard he could be.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing just once, but Harry could feel the support.

Thanks, Edward, he thought without turning around. I'm so glad you're all here.

"This is as far as most of us can go, I'm afraid," Arthur said as he stopped outside the door at the end of the corridor. "The only ones who can enter, right now, are Harry, Sirius, and Shane." Arthur turned to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "I know you have a degree that can help defend Harry, but unless Dumbledore doesn't show up before the trial starts, I need you to wait out here. You are a witness, okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah … yeah, okay. I hope that he does."

Me too, Arthur thought with a nod. He looked back at Harry. "Remember to only answer when you're spoken to, and know that the truth will win out."

Those of us who had been in the muggle world kept quiet. We knew what a corrupt system could do. Sometimes, the wizarding world was rather naïve, and they trusted the system way too much.

Even Sirius and Shane were too trusting of their government. Especially considering what Harry was facing inside that door.

Harry looked around at all of us, getting a hug from Bella and Rose. Shoulder pats from Neville and Emmett. But it was me who Harry looked to last.

I held my hand out to Harry, shaking his when he put his in mine, and pulled him close to whisper in his ear as my other arm wrapped around his shoulder. "We will get you through this, Harry. We have the truth on our side, as well as Bella's Memovisum." Harry nodded, pulling me in tighter. "But I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"Take this extendable ear. Give us something to listen to because, otherwise, I'll have to translate everything. I won't be able to concentrate on the thoughts if I do."

Harry snorted. Yes, you could. "But I'll do it."

"Probably, but thank you."

As Harry turned away slightly, he slipped the ear that I'd been holding in between our hands into a specially made pocket sewn into the shoulder of his jacket. This would enable him not only to let us hear what was going on but hear us should we need him to. He took one more, slow look at all of us, then turned and pulled on the handle to the door behind him. Sirius nodded, following behind Harry, Shane doing the same.

"And now we wait." Bella sighed, pulled a comfy seat from her pocket, and enlarged it to sit on. We all looked at her. "What? Did you all want one?"

Small chuckles broke out as Bella did the same for the rest of us.

~*~UHS~*~

The others chattered quietly as I watched through Harry. An official-looking gentleman stopped them before they stepped onto the floor and asked Shane and Sirius to take a seat in the empty stands off to the side. The official then guided Harry out onto the floor.

Harry took his time looking around the courtroom as he entered. I recognized the courtroom straight away. It was the one I'd seen in Moody's memories from the interrogations of people suspected of being death eaters. The chair with the chains was still in the middle of the room.

Harry looked up and around the room. The walls were made of the same dank, dark stone that was out in the hallway, with very few torches lit seemingly for effect. But it was the stands Harry's and my eyes were drawn to. On both the left and the right of the chair, the stands were empty, except for Shane and Sirius.

But directly in front of the chair where it seemed the stands raised higher above the chair in the center than those on the sides. It was in those stands that he saw the true, intimidating power of the wizarding world. On the highest benches, shrouded in shadows, were about fifty witches and wizards. They were all dressed in plum-colored robes, and all of them had a golden W embroidered onto the left breast side. They were all chatting and whispering between themselves until the doors slammed shut.

But it wasn't just those witches and wizards who were intimidating. Oh, no. Because there on the front bench, in front of all of them, was none other than the Minister for Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge. On his left was a broad, square-jawed, silver-haired witch who wore a monocle. Her facial features were vaguely familiar. And on her left sat Percy Weasley. Glasses, quill, and parchment in hand.

It was who was on Fudge's left that intrigued me because Harry couldn't see properly. I couldn't even tell if it was a woman or a man by looking through Harry.

"Everything okay, Edward?" Bella asked me softly.

"Yeah." I nodded. "Harry's just showing me around. He's being very thorough."

"Hear anything interesting?"

I shook my head slowly as I listened carefully. "Not yet, but I'm sure I will."

As Harry was asked to take a seat in the chair with chains, footsteps sounded from our side of the door. The five of us looked up to see the one person we weren't sure was going to appear—Professor Dumbledore.

"Has it started yet, Edward?" he spoke with an air of arrogant confidence, wearing long silver and midnight blue robes, a calm expression, all while shielding his thoughts from me.

"Harry is about to take a seat. So … it's about to."

Dumbledore looked over the five of us sitting in the hall waiting, lingering on my Bella. "I hear you have something that can definitively prove Harry's innocence in this whole debacle."

"I do," Bella replied stiffly. She hadn't been impressed all summer with Dumbledore's avoidance of us. Especially considering he was the one to bring the Order back into existence.

"Good, good. I will be bringing you and Edward in last. I want the trial to last as long as possible."

Emmett's brows furrowed. "Why would you want that? Wouldn't quicker be better?"

"Normally, I would say yes, but I want as much information as possible. That's what I want you to do mainly, Edward. Listen, learn, discover. And hopefully, we can find out who sent those dementors," Dumbledore replied.

If it was anyone in the ministry, Neville thought. With Harry's luck, it was probably Voldemort.

"When are you going in, Professor?" I asked as Harry took a seat on the chair. The chains rattled ominously but stayed where they were.

"I'll enter now and wait for the opportune moment to introduce myself." Dumbledore gave us a nod before slipping quietly in the door. As he did so, I pulled out the paired Extendable Ear and placed it on my knee so everyone could hear.

"Get ready," I whispered. We all fell silent just to listen, to hear what was going to happen.

Fudge was the first person to speak. He leaned forward in his chair to peer down at Harry over the bench that was in front of him. "We are here for a disciplinary hearing into offenses committed by Harry James Potter under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy. Interrogators are Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic."

Emmett snorted at Fudge's middle name.

Because Emmett is such a usual name. Bella smirked in my direction, causing me to chuckle quietly.

Fudge leaned back in his seat. "On my left is Amelia Susan Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Fudge then indicated to his other side. "On my right is Delores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, and Percy Ignatius Weasley, the court scribe."

Things went quiet for a few seconds while paper was shuffled. Harry was looking up at the minister and his cohorts so I could see the moment when Fudge was about to speak. But it wasn't his voice we heard.

Professor Dumbledore spoke before he entered the courtroom floor. "Witnesses for the defense …"

Harry spun around so fast that he had a momentary cramp in his neck. He had honestly thought that Dumbledore wouldn't appear.

"Edward Anthony Masen Junior …" Dumbledore continued on as if Harry had not been surprised by his appearance. "Isabella Marie Swan, Emmett Declan McCarty, Rosalie Anne McCarty, Neville Frank Longbottom, and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Titters of shock, awe, anger, as well as happiness greeted Dumbledore's arrival to the trial. With two of the elderly witches in the back of the Wizengamot even waving to Dumbledore like they were high schoolers at a teeny bop concert.

Harry span back around to see Fudge. He wanted to know what his reaction would be, and it didn't disappoint. It seemed that it was Dumbledore whom Fudge had wanted to prevent from getting to the trial.

Fudge seemed to sputter and fumble for a short moment before asking gruffly, "So you received the message to let you know the time for the trial had changed?"

"I must have missed it. It just so happened that I had to be at the Ministry three hours early. It was quite the stroke of luck." Dumbledore smiled mischievously. "I'm just happy I could be here."

I could hear the shock spread through the thoughts of the Wizengamot. They had all received a valid reason for the change in time and plenty of notice, but Dumbledore had not. The woman sitting next to Fudge wondered who else nearly missed out. Even Harry could see the speculative look that she was giving Fudge.

Taking a leaf out of Bella's book, Dumbledore summoned himself a large, squishy armchair and took a seat next to Harry. "What are the charges?"

I looked over everyone who was gathered with me in the corridor as Fudge unrolled a seemingly long piece of parchment. They were all focused on what was happening in that courtroom, even my Bella, though she was also looking at me. She gave me a small smile when my eyes lingered on her longer and last.

Fudge cleared his throat as he looked down his nose in Harry's direction. He looked back to the parchment and began to read the list of charges. "The charges are as follows: that he knowingly, deliberately, and in the full awareness of the illegality of his actions produced at least one Patronus in the presence of a muggle." Fudge peered over the top of his parchment again. "The breach was on the ninth day of August at fifteen minutes past eleven in the morning. This is an offense under Paragraph C of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, circa 1875. As well as a breach of Section thirteen of International Confederation of the Warlocks Statute of Secrecy."

Cornelius Fudge placed his parchment down on the bench in front of him and, once more, looked down his nose at Harry. "You are Harry Potter living at Grimmauld Place, London, correct?"

"Yes, but …"

"You did conjure a patronus?"

"I did, but …"

"Are you aware that it is illegal to cast magic outside of school for one under the age of seventeen?"

Harry sighed. "Yes! But there …"

"And you were close to a muggle?"

"And squi …"

"Just yes or no!" Fudge demanded.

"Yes," Harry growled out through gritted teeth.

"You cast a patronus?" Madam Bones interrupted before more words could be shared between Fudge and Harry.

Harry's gaze slipped from Fudge to Madam Bones. "Yes, ma'am."

"A fully corporeal patronus?"

"A what?" Harry asked her. He could understand her question, but it just wasn't registering, and that was why he asked Madam Bones to repeat herself.

She smiled patiently at him, knowing that this was trying. "A fully corporeal patronus, not just some mist?"

"Oh, um, yes." Harry looked around, wondering about this line of questioning, and his uncertainty caused him to snap out, "It's a stag."

"Calm, Harry," I whispered close to the ear, knowing he could hear me. "She's just asking to clarify. I believe she's on your side. She doesn't believe Fudge at all."

Sorry. Harry took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry, ma'am. It's been a trying few days."

Madam Bones waved off his apology. She could completely understand his anger. "It's fine, Harry. Casting a corporeal patronus is quite an accomplishment. You are fifteen, are you not?"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry answered respectfully. "But I don't consider it an accomplishment. I would not have had to learn how to defend myself against dementors had the ministry not set them loose on Hogwarts to catch Rabastan Lestrange. They kept attacking me."

"Yes, yes, yes. An accomplishment indeed. But all the worse because he performed this magic in front of a muggle!" Fudge stated with some malice, trying to get the trial back on his track.

With Fudge's forceful reminder, the other members of the Wizengamot started to whisper and confer their agreement with the minister. They thought it worse because Harry had known the spell and still performed it, even knowing it was illegal.

Harry sighed, closing his eyes so he could roll them before opening them to lock eyes with Percy, who gave him a very subtle wink. We had worked out with Percy beforehand that when he gave that wink, Harry was to let the Wizengamot know what we needed them to hear.

Why isn't Professor Dumbledore saying anything? Bella asked as she leaned into me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, shrugging. It's frustrating. Shouldn't he be sticking up for Harry?

"Maybe he's letting Fudge make a fool of himself," I whispered back.

Rose and Emmett heard me but didn't say anything. Out loud anyway. They both agreed with what Bella thought next. He's doing a good job of that. Maybe Dumbledore won't have to say a word.

I snickered. "Maybe not."

We all listened carefully when Harry shifted because he was about to explode.

"I wouldn't have had to cast one spell had there not been dementors!" Harry shouted.

It did the trick. Every single person inside that courtroom stopped stone cold still. Most because they couldn't believe there could have been an actual reason beyond showing off for Harry to cast the spell. Especially considering some of the Wizengamot had complete faith in their Minister.

"Dementors?" Madam Bones asks surprised. "What do you mean dementors?"

"We were just sitting at Emmett and Rosalie's house, not doing much. Cleaning our wands, reading for the upcoming school year. Emmett and Rose were having a muggle inspector over to inspect the house. They are looking at fostering some of the abandoned children from the Middle House."

There were titters of surprise at that. But also some thoughts of shame. I shook my head. The wizards never thought of those children in the Middle House. The squibs were an embarrassment to a wizarding family. So instead of supporting the children they abandoned, they ignored the problem. Having it shoved in their faces that someone plans to foster them was a little confronting.

"Anyway …" Harry waved off the quiet chatter. "We were doing nothing when the atmosphere changed. It grew cold, dark, and like the happiness was pulled from us …"

Fudge couldn't stay quiet any longer. "A likely story. Muggles can't see dementors, can they?"

"Why would I lie?" Harry asked hotly. "I'm not you, Minister. I don't use people's fears to keep them from knowing the truth!"

Again, silence descended on the group because they knew what Harry was referring to, and it wasn't this particular trial.

"Regardless," eventually the minister began. "Without witnesses, what you're saying can't be confirmed."

This was where Dumbledore finally thought to jump in. "Ah, but, Minister, didn't you hear me at the beginning of this process. We have witnesses. As in more than one."

Minister Fudge was already shaking his head. "We do not need them. We have all the proof we need in the trace on Mr. Potter's wand."

There was more than one head that turned in the direction of the minister. The members of the Wizengamot were more than surprised by the argument the minister had put forth.

"Ah, ah, ah, Minister Fudge," Dumbledore started. We could all hear the smirk in his voice. "I believe that under the Wizengamot Charter, the accused has the right to present witnesses to prove his innocence. Isn't that right, Madam Bones?"

I could see through Harry that one side of Madam Bones's mouth was lifted in a small smirk. While she didn't appreciate that Dumbledore wasn't defending Harry, she was about to turn the tables.

"That is correct, Professor Dumbledore." She turned to raise an eyebrow in Fudge's direction. "I also believe that it is written into the laws and regulations for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that all people presented to any level of the Wizarding Court, accused of any offense, have the right to witnesses and their defense. Laws that you, as Minister for Magic, are sworn in to protect. Right, Minister Fudge?"

I could hear Harry internally snicker at the look on Fudge's face. Harry thought, and aptly so, that Fudge looked like he could have had steam coming out of his ears.

Madam Bones waited a few more seconds for Fudge to answer before she turned back to Harry and Dumbledore. "Regardless of what our illustrious minister thinks, I would like to hear from these witnesses. Please bring them all in."

We all stood, Bella whisking away the chairs we had been sitting in, and were ready by the time the official reached the door.

"This way, please. Madam Bones would like to have a word with all of you."

There was a shuffling as we straightened our clothes and followed the official through the door. We made the short trek into the courtroom. There were several thoughts of "whoa" from all those around me, including my Bella, at the size of the room alone.

Harry must have felt so intimidated. This place is immense, Bella thought as she looked around. That woman, next to Fudge, she looks like Neville's toad.

I quietly snorted into a laugh as I reached out for Bella's hand. "Now that's insulting … to Trevor."

Bella laughed, just as quietly, but still managing to draw the attention of the Wizengamot, especially the woman sitting next to Fudge.

What are they doing here? Foul half-breeds … filthy creatures …

Oh, she was one of those. I groaned almost inaudibly, even though Bella, Emmett, and Rose heard. They all glanced at me surreptitiously. "Creature hater. Next to Fudge."

Rose turned her ice-cold glare on Delores Umbridge, causing the woman and her thoughts to startle. Bella rolled her eyes, waved her wand, and conjured the chairs we had been sitting on in the corridor.

"Thank you for coming and supporting your friend," Madam Bones began as she looked over all of us. "Can you please introduce yourselves."

We looked down the line to where Neville sat at the beginning while he was looking at the rest of us. "Ugh, fine." He sighed, standing up. "My name is Neville Longbottom," he said quickly before sitting back down.

"I'm Emmett McCarty, and this is my wife, Rosalie." Emmett indicated by holding Rose's hand.

I stood, reaching down to help Bella from her chair. "My name is Edward Masen, and this is my mate, Isabella Swan, daughter of the esteemed Auror Charlie Swan."

Once more, there was quiet chatter. Bella's name, or at least her father's, held a lot of respect. Still. Even after nearly fifteen years.

Madam Bones nodded at my girl with respect. She was saying how sorry she was for Bella's loss without actually uttering the words. "Welcome." She raised her eyebrow once more when Minister Fudge scoffed. He was seriously acting like a spoiled child denied his favorite toy. "I know you're all here to help Harry defend himself, but I want to know what happened on the day in question. Don't leave out any detail. Mr. Longbottom, if you could start, please?"

Bella and I stayed quiet while the others told their versions of what happened. Bella was watching the reactions of the members of the Wizengamot, and I was listening to their thoughts. They listened with rapt attention through the retelling of Neville's and Emmett's versions of the story. They began to become appalled when Rose told her version of the events.

Nobody was supposed to be there! a mind screamed out. Potter was supposed to be on his own, otherwise I wouldn't have sent the stupid creatures.

It was with those thoughts that I squeezed Bella's hand. She was the one to suspect that a member of the ministry had sent the dementors to Harry for exposure. It was the one thing I was listening for the most, and I had just heard it. And I could pinpoint who the voice belonged to. It certainly was a surprise to me.

Bella looked at me briefly before looking over the gathered witches and wizards. It didn't take her long to put it together. I'll bet Charlie had been just as sharp in his day.

It's her, isn't it? The one in pink? The toad? I nodded in response to her thoughts. It was well timed because it looked like I was agreeing with some of what Rose was saying. Hmm … wonder why. You're gonna keep listening?

"Of course," I whispered at vampire pitch.

"Mr. Masen?" I looked over at Madam Bones when she called my name. "This court has heard the recounts of the others; can you tell me what happened in your own words?"

"This is ridiculous!" Fudge thundered, standing from his seat. "They live in close proximity to each other! Of course, they would have similar stories!"

"Are you saying that I, as the daughter of Charlie Swan, would purposefully flout the law?" Bella asked in a low, even tone, catching the attention of everyone, most importantly Fudge, in the room. "Is that what you want to go with?"

I couldn't help but snicker quietly as Fudge sputtered as he tried to answer Bella's questions.

"Hmmm, that's what I thought," Bella murmured. "So, you think we might be lying. Do you believe that thoughts can lie?"

"Do you think we all have time to slip into a Pensieve?" Minister Fudge growled. The more obstinate he became, the more the Wizengamot could see that he was using this forum to his advantage.

"No," Bella answered angelically, causing all of us to snicker at her. The happiness we exuded seemed to confuse some of the witches and wizards on the bench. They couldn't figure us out, or at least our attitudes. "But I can do you one better."

Madam Bones held her hand up in Fudge's direction. "You have belittled these people long enough. I want to see what they have to say. Then I have a question for you, Minister."

I couldn't help but smirk as Fudge sat back in his seat and crossed his arms like a petulant child.

"Go ahead, Miss Swan." Madam Bones waved her hand in our direction, not that it was needed. Bella was already pulling her shrunken Memovisum box from her pocket.

Bella engorged the box and set up the Memovisum on top of it. "Instead of telling you what happened when Edward and I were warned something was wrong by our owls, I'm going to show you."

Madam Bones leaned forward, as did many of the other members of the Wizengamot. They were interested in what Bella had in front of her. With a small smirk, Bella tapped the side of the Memovisum and stepped backward into my arms.

I could hear the thoughts of surprise as the hologram of me in the library sprung up in front of them. Even Minister Fudge could grudgingly agree that what Bella had presented to them was fascinating.

"Before you play that memory, Isabella," a witch behind Madam Bones called out. "What have you there?"

Bella smiled. She was proud of this invention, much like the other things she had invented, but this one was more so. "Well, it did start out as a pensieve. But I realized that while the pensieve is a great invention, it takes so long to show a group of people memories. So, I did some research into muggle inventions and was able to come up with something that would give me the results I wanted."

"What do you call it?" A wizard from the end of the first row asked.

"This is the Memovisum … And just so you know, I've already patented this design, so if you want one, you'll have to buy one." Bella had anticipated the following question. Before anyone else could speak, Bella spoke again. "Shall I show you the memory now?"

There were several nods as Minister Fudge fumed from his seat.

Bella started the hologram once more. The whole of the Wizengamot watched as I read a wizarding history book. I look up as Athan and Saffy fly into the room, looking all disheveled. Bella played the memory through, right up until we arrived at Rose and Emmett's house to see them on the floor with the muggle from NSPCC with them. But it was Harry and Neville standing above them, shielding them with their patronuses from all the dementors floating around, that caught the attention of every single witch and wizard in that courtroom.

Bella knew we couldn't show them that we had destroyed the dementors—at least not yet—so she discreetly tapped the side of the bowl, ending the memory before that part even happened.

"As you can see, Harry and the others here are telling the truth. We were attacked by dementors. Neville and Harry were casting their patronuses when we arrived, so Edward and I joined the battle, driving them off. They found the home my sister and brother built at the edge of Swan Manor's estate. Somewhere that is supposed to be untraceable. What have you to say now, Minister?" Bella looked over to Fudge, who looked like he could have steam coming out of his ears.

While the minister pondered how to answer the question that Bella had placed before him, I listened to the thoughts floating around. Many of the Wizengamot were stunned at what they had seen. Ten dementors had left the relative safety of Azkaban prison. But others … the others were wondering why Harry was the only one on trial for casting his patronus in front of a muggle. If we had all cast them … why weren't the rest of us.

I listened to Fudge's thoughts, and instead of answering Bella's question, he decided to postulate something else. "The odds are astronomical that the dementors wandered into the countryside, looking for a wizard to attack."

It was that comment, that particular one from the minister no less, that turned the tide of the trial in our favor. Because all who worked in the ministry knew how they were used. How the dementors were controlled.

Before any of us could say something, Professor Dumbledore decided it was time for him to step in, once again. Not one person on our side was happy with the way he had been defending Harry. "I'm not sure it was a coincidence, Minister."

"I'm not sure what you mean, Professor Dumbledore."

"I believe the dementors were ordered to Swan Manor," Dumbledore supplied, his hands spreading out wide before coming back to clasp together in front of him.

Once again, Fudge stood from his seat to tower over the top of us. He was trying to assert his authority, what he perceived as his dominance, over us. "That's not possible!" he shouted. "If they had been ordered to find Harry Potter, there would be logs of it in the ministry records!"

"And have you even checked those records?" I blurted out. "When you found out that Harry had conjured a patronus, did you check? Can you have them brought down here to see? Or will you just dismiss it because it was Harry who conjured it, and you've been looking for any reason to have him expelled from Hogwarts?"

Bella tilted her head. "By doing that, by having him expelled, wouldn't that mean he would have to suppress his magic, therefore creating an obscurial to grow inside of him?"

There were many gasps from around the courtroom. Many of them wondering how Bella knew of something that hadn't been seen in the magical world for many-a-decade. I snorted softly. If only they knew.

"That hasn't happened in a long time!" Fudge thundered. "It would never happen on my watch!" He pointed at me. "Of course, we checked the records of the orders sent to the dementors. They were never told to go after Harry Potter!"

"Is it possible that they are listening to someone other than the ministry?" Dumbledore asked once Fudge had stopped yelling.

Fudge threw his hands in the air. "Like who? All the dementors are at Azkaban!"

No, they're not, Bella thought with a smile. Azkaban is missing ten of them. He's not going to mention that though, is he?

"Of course not, Bella," I said into her hair with a chuckle. "That would mean admitting his loss of control."

Some of Dumbledore's carefully maintained calm façade cracked when he countered the minister's question with another. "Then why did someone order the attack?"

Bella and I had already established that Umbridge looked like a toad, but as she leaned forward from the shadows beside Fudge, we could see how much. She had a large pale face that was broad and flabby. Her mouth was wide and slack while her eyes were large, round, and slightly bulging. She even had a black bow pinning back her curly, dirty blonde hair.

That bow looks like a fly she's going to swallow, Harry thought, causing me to snicker. What? Harry asked with a laugh. Tell me I'm not wrong.

I shook my head. I couldn't disagree. He was totally right.

Fudge stopped what he was going to say and leaned back with a smirk. "The chair recognizes Delores Umbridge."

The voice that came from her mouth sent shivers down the spines of everyone on the floor of the courtroom. It was a fluttery, girlish, high-pitched voice. Something that should be coming from a toddler instead of a full-grown woman. "Are you suggesting, Professor Dumbledore, that someone inside the ministry ordered the attack on this young man?"She snorted even as she thought, Of course, someone did. That someone was me.

My eyebrows raised in surprise. But the worst part about the wizarding world at large not knowing about my talent was that I couldn't say anything to implicate her. Maybe … eventually … she'd implicate herself.

"Not at all," Professor Dumbledore answered. "But we have clear proof that dementors did indeed attack Harry Potter and his friends. And if there are no records of said attack being ordered by the ministry, then maybe … just maybe, they are being controlled by someone outside the ministry."

Once again, Fudge stood from his chair, as did several other witches and wizards who argued in the negative with Fudge. They couldn't believe that it was possible. While they may have been right—because it was someone inside the ministry—they didn't know that.

"And the presence of the dementors is completely irrelevant anyway!" Fudge argued. "He still cast …"

"I think their presence is completely relevant." Dumbledore stood and argued back. "If they hadn't been there in the first place, Harry never would have cast the patronus!" All the arguments stopped at least long enough for Dumbledore to continue with, "Clause seven for the Restriction of Underage Sorcery states that magic may be used in front of a muggle in extraordinary circumstances. Those circumstances include situations that threaten the life of themselves, other witches or wizards, or muggles."

"I know that clause!" Fudge snarled with his hands fisted, leaning on the podium in front of him.

To which Dumbledore nodded. "So, we are in agreement then."

Fudge shook his head. "No, we are not in agreement. How are we certain that these witnesses are telling the truth? That this vampire and Veela somehow didn't alter their memories?"

Rosalie and Emmett let out a sigh while Neville shook his head. Even Madam Bones was rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"Do you want to see them again?" I asked from my chair. "Have a closer look maybe? See if you can see if they were altered? I don't mind. We have time." I leaned back in my chair, my hands behind my head and feet crossed at the ankles out in front of me. I was the perfect picture of relaxation.

I could see that I had flustered Fudge, as could many others. He sputtered and stammered before he blurted out that we didn't have time to view everyone's memories all over again.

Bella snorted, quite loudly, drawing attention from many of the Wizengamot. "Of course, you wouldn't have the time," she muttered. "What with miscarriage of justice happening right here. That several of Harry's rights are being violated and many laws being overlooked by just having this farce of a trial."

Minister Fudge did the one thing I hated more than anything else. Something a man in power should never, ever do. He looked down his nose at my Bella. On top of that, his nose curled and he sneered ever so slightly. "Laws can be changed."

"Like holding a full criminal court for a small case of underage magic?" Dumbledore asked from behind me. "That kind of law?"

That remark hit home for more than a few of the Wizengamot. They started shifting rather uncomfortably.

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm calling for a verdict to be reached in this matter."

We all stood and made our way to Harry, Bella packing up our chairs, as whispered conversations broke out among the Wizengamot. I could see Harry was looking up at me pleadingly, wanting to know what was being said. Or better yet, thought about his conviction.

"I'm sure everything will be fine, Harry," I told him with a wink. "Just be patient."

I turned when the whispering stopped. Bella came and stood in front of me, leaning her back against my chest.

Madam Bones took the lead because Minister Fudge wouldn't, or couldn't, control this portion. "All those who believe we should clear Harry Potter?"

More than seventy percent of the Wizengamot raised their hands to vote that Harry should be cleared.

"Those against clearing Harry Potter?"

Only half a dozen people, including Fudge, Umbridge, and a reluctant Percy, raised their hands to convict him. With a sour look on his face, Fudge looked down upon us before his eyes lingered on Harry.

"Cleared of all charges," Fudge said dourly, banging his gavel.

Please don't go, please don't go, I heard from Madam Bones as we watched in silence as Dumbledore almost ran from the courtroom. I shook my head but stopped everyone else from following.

"What's going on, Edward?" Bella asked as she looked up at me. It made me realize that my girl wasn't as short as she used to be. Over the summer, she'd had another growth spurt. Her forehead rested against my lips. Her shoulders at the right height for me to sling my arm over comfortably. I hoped she didn't grow much taller; I loved the feeling I got when she curled into me.

"Madam Bones wants to talk to all of us. She's rushing down from her seat."

Bella watched the Wizengamot prepare to leave, Fudge seeming to linger. It was like he was watching us. "Hear anything interesting?"

I nodded, pulling her closer. "I'll let you know later."

"Oh! Thank Merlin. I'm so glad you didn't rush out of here. Not that I could blame you if you did." Madam Bones puffed as she stopped right next to us.

"We'll meet you outside, Edward. We're not going to be needed for this conversation." Rose smiled as Madam Bones tried to tell them it was okay. "No, no. It's fine. We'll wait near the elevator."

What Rose wasn't saying was that Fudge was preparing to leave the courtroom, and they wanted to follow him to see what would happen. Percy was also following Fudge out, weighed down with parchment and quills. I nodded, letting them know that I had heard her.

"See you up there."

"I can't thank you enough for staying. I know we introduced ourselves before, but I'm Amelia Bones, and I run the Magical Law Enforcement department of the ministry," she said while shaking our hands. "I have to ask. Is it just the four of you who can perform the Patronus Charm?"

The four of us shook our heads, but it was Harry who answered. "No, ma'am. We have a small group of friends and family. We all learned how to cast the Patronus Charm together."

Madam Bones's mouth hung open. "You all learned?" We nodded to her question. "You all can cast a corporeal patronus?" We nodded again. "How many of you are there?"

"Approximately eight," Bella and I answered together before we both laughed. Bella continued. "With the threat of the dementors hanging about the school, we wanted to be able to protect each other, as well as ourselves."

"Eight …" Madam Bones whispered, but her brow furrowed. "So, you've all been able to cast it for two years?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"What are your plans for the future?" I smirked when that question fell from Madam Bones's mouth. She had plans … and they included all of us.

"I want to be an auror," Harry blurted while Neville replied with, "I want to be a Hogwarts Professor."

Bella and I chuckled at them while Madam Bones beamed at Harry. She turned to look at the both of us.

"And what do you two plan on doing when you finish school?" She raised an eyebrow at us as if to challenge us.

"Inventor," Bella answered while I blurted out, "Potioneer." We both looked at each other and laughed before we started blurting out other things we wanted to do.

"Professor!"

"Auror!"

"Professor," I stated again.

"I already said that one, Edward!" Bella whined slightly.

"Yeah, for you. I want to try my hand at it too!" I argued.

"Oh, is that right? Then I want to be Hogwarts headmaster when you do!" Bella laughed. "I'll be your boss!"

I snorted. "Like you aren't already. Quidditch referee!" By now, Neville and Harry were laughing at us while Madam Bones looked on with a bemused smile.

"Creature Regulation while being a mother," Bella said softly. The look in her eyes was tender and so full of love I felt the phantom heartbeat of my animagus thump in my chest.

I pulled Bella to me, giving her a soft, sweet kiss and laying my forehead against hers. "Being a father to our children will be the best job I will ever have, apart from being your husband and mate."

We got lost in our own world for a few seconds until some gagging from the boys and a sniffle from Madam Bones brought us out of it. We both smiled sheepishly in their direction.

"Sorry," Bella said. "I guess we'll have time to do it all over the centuries."

I kissed the top of her head as Madam Bones said, "I guess you will." She looked at Harry. "If you're serious about becoming an auror, I would like to help. I can send you books that you'll need to study, spells that you'll need to master. And I can also help you choose the subjects that will help you realize your dream." Her gaze swept over us all. "If it's something that any of you would like."

Harry nodded. "We'd like that very much. Any help would be appreciated."

"Good. I shall let you go catch up with the others. Look for an owl in the coming days." With that, Madam Bones inclined her head, then set off after the last of the Wizengamot that was filing out. Including Delores Umbridge, who sneered ever so slightly at us as she walked past.

I nodded toward the door, indicating that we should go and see where the others had gotten to. Our moment of levity seemed to disappear as we exited the courtroom. There was always someone, or something, that seemed to interrupt our fun.

I grabbed Bella's hand and led the way out, Harry and Neville bringing up the rear, and we almost literally bumped into Arthur as we stepped out of the courtroom. He'd been pacing, but he was now off to the side with his mouth hanging open. He watched as all of the witches and wizards filed out.

He waited until they were out of hearing range, up the stairs, before he spoke. "Was the full Wizengamot in attendance?" he whispered. "For an underage magic charge?"

I shook my head. "That was no case for underage magic. It was a fishing expedition and an execution. They wanted Harry out of school, possibly out of the wizarding world all together."

"What? Why?"

"Because Harry, Dumbledore, and even me, to some extent, are interrupting the status quo. The minister wants to keep his head in the sand, and we're forcing him to face up to reality. Although, he wasn't the one to set this whole thing in motion." I looked down at Bella and tapped my head. "That was all someone else's doing," I said in a whisper.

Someone in the ministry? she asked, to which I nodded my head. Someone close to Fudge. Thinking they were doing him a favor? I nodded again. Bella shook her head. We're going to have to be very careful this year. Harry, too.

"I know."

"You know what?" Emmett asked, also in a whisper, when we reached the top of the stairs. I went to take a step forward, but he reached out an arm to stop me.

"What's going on?"

"I want you and Harry to peek around this corner. Tell me what you see."

I frowned at Emmett but stepped aside a little to call Harry through. Because I was still slightly taller, I stood behind him. We both inched our heads around the corner. Of course, I had already picked up on the conversation that was happening, and who it was, but I wanted to see for myself. I wanted to know without a doubt that our minister, the one we put our faith in, was indeed talking with someone who had been a known death eater.

And had been reported to have been in the graveyard when Voldemort had returned. Reclaiming his place as one of Voldemort's inner circle.

Because there, standing in the hallway in front of that strange door, was none other than the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy.

Both of us pulled back. I could see that Harry was confused by what we had seen. He looked up to me. "What are they talking about, Edward?"

I listened. I could hear that Fudge was complaining about the case that he'd, essentially, just lost. That Harry was still allowed to go to school thanks to Bella, me, and the others.

"Why were the vampire and Veela even allowed to testify?" Malfoy asked. "As creatures, shouldn't we hold sway over them?"

I opened my eyes, not realizing I had closed them, and looked at the tight lips on those around me. Those who could hear anyway. "Fudge is complaining about losing the case, and Malfoy wants to know why Bella and I were allowed to testify. He thinks that because we're creatures we have no say in the magical world. Even though we have proven time and again that we're a witch and a wizard."

I could see the tempers rise in Emmett and Rose. They didn't like the thought that we could be held back because of what we are. We'd had that happen enough when we were living in the muggle world. Shane and Sirius were of the same mind, although they were already planning on eviscerating Fudge in The Truth about this court case. But Bella, my beautiful girl, just shrugged her shoulders.

"Why aren't you more upset, Bella?" Arthur asked from the back of the group.

I could see the smirk on Bella's face. "Because we will outlive Malfoy. And we have a long time to make the magical world a more tolerant place."

Bella's thought seemed to have changed the direction of the murderous thoughts Rose and Emmett had begun to think, and they leaned back to chill against the wall. It seemed like we weren't going anywhere until Malfoy and Fudge had left the corridor.

Harry stepped back and sat down on the steps above Sirius and Shane. Neville sat next to him. Arthur also took a seat and began to speak quietly to the boys. He wanted more details on what had happened in that courtroom. Rose and Bella started talking about how long it would take for Rose and Emmett to be able to adopt and what Rose would do about working at Middle House when they eventually could. It sounded like Rose was thinking of leaving her job behind and becoming a full-time mom. And that including homeschooling the kids.

I leaned my head back on the wall and closed my eyes. I didn't really want to listen to the asinine conversation happening down the corridor, but because it was Malfoy, I thought I better. That was until I felt the shift and heard the door behind Malfoy and Fudge open. I was quick to peek back around the corner to see a witch, perfectly dressed in a simple black uniform, walk out of the door and down the hall toward the elevator.

Fudge and Malfoy followed, but I paid them no mind.

What surprised me about this witch was that I couldn't hear her thoughts. If she was using Occlumency to keep me—and other legilimens—out, then why was she not tired. Why was her appearance so … calm and together?

I monitored her as she waited for the elevator and made note of the people coming down. I could hear the thoughts of all but one of the witches and wizards coming down. And when he stepped out of the elevator, he appeared as I suspected. He looked tired, drawn. He appeared to have been using his Occlumency for a very long time. He was also wearing the same black uniform that the witch was wearing.

They nodded at each other as she stepped in and he stepped out of the elevator. As he walked past the steps leading down to the courtroom, I peered out to follow his progress down the hall. I stepped up the last step into the corridor as he opened the door at the end—wide enough that I could see through it—before he closed it again, cutting off my line of sight.

What was through that door confused me. It seemed that it was a round room. Inside the room, what I could see seemed to be more of the same doors like the one on this side.

"What's through there, Arthur?" I asked as the others stepped into the corridor.

Arthur looked down the hall. "That's the Department of Mysteries. The only people allowed in there are the Unspeakables."

"What's in there?"

"I have no idea." Arthur shrugged. "Only the Unspeakables know their way through the maze that is the Department of Mysteries. Rumors are that if you enter there unauthorized, you never come out. Nobody knows what they do there or what's kept inside."

I was about to question Arthur some more when the door opened once more. The same wizard, who had entered looking tired and strung out, came back out the door looking as though he'd had the best night's sleep of his entire life. Even his clothes seemed to be looking cleaner and pressed. When he saw us standing there, he quickly shut the door, blocking off our view.

"Can I help you? Are you lost?" the wizard asked before Arthur stepped forward.

"No need, Grim. We were just coming up from the courtroom." Arthur stepped forward to shake this gentleman's hand.

Grim frowned, tilting his head. "Who was holding a meeting in the courtroom? That room hasn't been used in fourteen years."

"You mean you haven't heard?" Harry asked, stepping up next to Arthur. "The ministry was holding a full-court Wizengamot because I cast a spell outside of Hogwarts."

"Oh, that." Grim waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "There are some in the ministry who think that Minister Fudge is overstepping his role of minister. I knew it would go nowhere. But you can't linger down here."

Arthur nodded before turning and guiding us all back to the elevator. "See you later, Grim," he called over his shoulder. "Or not," he whispered as he got on the elevator with the rest of us following. "Those unspeakables give me the creeps."

Emmett, Rose, and I all snickered. As vampires, we were the ones who used to illicit that feeling among the people around us. Now, it was witches and wizards who did things nobody else knew about that caused those feelings of unease.

"Time to head home?" I asked nobody in particular.

Time for a meeting? Neville, Bella, and Harry all thought together.

It was time for the misfits to discuss everything that had happened and figure out a plan for the coming year.

"Let's get back to Swan Manor," Bella said out loud instead.

~*~UHS~*~

So ... How about them apples? Seems Fudge has some people on his team that think they're better than everyone else. But are they looking out for the wizarding worlds interests ... or their own?

See you in a fortnight!