Chapter 16

The news of Harry's arrest rocked the Wizarding World. Ron Hermione and Ginny huddled around the Daily Prophet headline "Potter Arrested by Muggle Police! Guardian's family home ransacked; family members attacked" The three read and reread the article in disbelief. They read the details of the night Harry was arrested. The article ending with the usual questions about Harry's character and trustworthiness.

"Listen to this," Ginny said to Hermione and Ron, "Has Harry Potter finally snapped? Is Harry headed for a life as a hardened criminal? Is he the chosen one or the fallen one? All we can do is wait and see."

"It's rubbish, a fat lot of rubbish." Ron said casting the Prophet across the room.

Hermione said, "We've got to do something. We've got to help him."

Mr. Weasley walked into the kitchen looking haggard and tried and said. "I'm afraid you can't."

Ron asked, "Why not. He's come to help us often enough, why can't we just go get him"

Mr. Weasley continued, " It's impossible. The rules on this are absolute. Wizards can not interfere with muggle law and in turn muggles can not interfere in wizard law."

"I don't understand. I've never read about this." Hermione said.

"These laws have been set centuries ago. It's a barrier. Most wizards are unaware they even exist. Charms, jinxes, curses and even death awaits anyone who tries to cross it. They protect the sovereignty of the two worlds. They are continually renewed and fortified. No one and I mean no one dare cross them. Now that Harry is in the custody of the muggles there is nothing we can do. No one from the Wizarding World can touch him now."

Ginny asked, "Not even Voldemort?"

Mr.Weasley answered, " Not even Voldemort."

"Why don't more people know about this?" Hermione asked.

"We most to the time the line is never crossed. Wizards take for their own legal issues and muggles the same. Harry, because he lives in both worlds he is subject to both laws, as are you Hermione, but the muggles that are allowed access to our world are carefully screened and rarely cause trouble. I think it's just assumed people will follow the laws and accept the consequences if they break them wherever they live. There's no reason to discuss it, I suppose."

"Poor, Harry." Ginny said.

The three went outside to walk for a moment to clear their heads. They were soon driven back inside by a crowd of reporters waiting at the edge of the property.

"Do you think Harry is dangerous?"

"As his best friends, how do you feel about Harry going rouge?"

"Do you still trust him?"

"Do you still believe he's the chosen one?"

"No Comment! No! Comment!" The three shouted as they were ushered back into the house by Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley turned to the group and said with a rising voice. "Now I suggest you get off our property or your tongues will be so swollen you won't be able to ask those stupid questions for weeks!"

The group settled back into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley told them the reports were gone. Ginny poured Ron and Hermione some tea.

She quietly said, "At least we know he's safe."

Ron said, "Yeah, safe in jail."

The three sat for a moment and stirred their tea.

Hermione broke the silence, "Do you know what this means?"

Ron said, "Yeah Harry's on his own."

Hermione continued, "No. It means that he trusts the muggle laws to protect him more than the ministry. I think his actions at the Dursleys were deliberate."

Ron said, " You're telling me that Harry wanted to get himself thrown in jail."

"I think it's possible." Hermione said.

Ginny raised her teacup. "Well, Happy Birthday Harry, where ever you are."

"Happy Birthday, Harry" they said together with a clink of their teacups.