Embracing His True Self
Chapter 73
Hermione Granger, confident and self-assured Muggle-born, entered the courtroom, dressed in a fine pureblood apparel. Her entire demeanour was poised, gentle, elegant, and with warmth many of them were wishing their own offspring had an ounce of her geniality.
Hermione smiled at Harry, eyes twinkling momentarily when she caught sight of how he was sitting with a stranger. Harry didn't normally sit that way…it must mean he's in a relationship. Part of her was gutted he hadn't told her, the other half was just so happy to see Harry content at long last.
Shaking it off, her smile small but still on her face, she claimed the only seat in the middle of the room, that wasn't already in use, of course.
"I swear to Lady magic…to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me Merlin," Hermione said the words as though she knew them by heart, not once glancing down at the slip of paper. There was no doubt Hermione had indeed practiced it a million times before sitting here to say it. She'd also done a whole lot of research in the short time since she received the letter.
Part of her rebelled against the idea of doing this to Headmaster Dumbledore. A wizard she had very much admired for years. Unfortunately, she couldn't allow the truth to be ignored due to her admiration. Plus, she wasn't going to lie, and Dumbledore would soon be up on that stand under Veritaserum, and the truth would be revealed…her answering questions wouldn't mean anything. She had to be her own person, and she would never be able to borne the guilt if she didn't do everything she could to help Harry. Help the entire magical world at large.
"Ms. Granger, can you tell me what house you were sorted into?" Bones begun her questioning.
"Objection? Relevance?" Diggle shouted agog.
"I'll get there," Bones retorted.
"I'll allow it," The Minister declared, Bones wasn't one for asking inane questions.
"The hat considered me for Ravenclaw, but I asked to be put into Gryffindor." Hermione said, a small fond smile on her hand, remembering the conversation with the hat. She'd been so stubborn then, probably still was.
"And why did you fight the hat?" Bones addressed.
"I had read up everything I could get my hands on during the summer before I entered Hogwarts for the first time. A lot of books mentioned Headmas…er Dumbledore, I admired him, much like the rest of the Muggle-born population due to the fact he liked to 'champion' for our rights. Or so I believed at the time, I have yet to actually find anything other than statements that back up that fact. So, yes, I wished to be placed in Gryffindor to be like a wizard I admired."
Harry stifled his amusement, that was just so like Hermione.
"Do you still admire him?" Bones prodded.
"No," Hermione stated, "I ignored a lot more than I should have done in regards to Dumbledore. If I hadn't been blinded by my admiration for him…I do not believe I would have allowed a lot to happen that did." she added doggedly.
"Tell me of the first incident that you brushed aside that otherwise should have had as they say 'alarm bells ringing' so to speak…" Bones pondered, wondering what the articulate girl would say next.
"Dumbledore warned the entire school that 'a horrible painful death' awaited anyone who went up to the third floor corridor. No offence, but I think that would have encouraged a lot of children to investigate it. Me, Ron and Harry actually confronted the beast purely by accident after getting lost." Hermione said thoughtfully, "Looking back, there were way too many coincidences, we found out information that shouldn't have been there or as easily found as we found it. Harry being taken to Gringotts, the warning…everyone who knows Hagrid…well, nobody should have given him such an important and 'secret' task if they wanted it kept a secret. There was only one person he could have gleaned that information from. Dumbledore. The next incident was the fact that first-years were given detention in the forbidden forest…when Dumbledore himself had said everyone is supposed to stay out of it. Again, it seemed as though there was a purpose for every single move made it's where Harry met Voldemort's wraith for the first time. It's when we began to understand the severity of the situation. We were quite rightfully worried about Voldemort's return." Having no fear of his name.
"Were there any incidents where you know Dumbledore knew something was wrong?" Bones mused.
"Um…quite frankly, no, nothing that I could point out and say he knew. We, as in myself, Ron and Harry knew he knew though, and at that time I was blinded, if such a thing had happened to me…I would have been furious, my parents would have removed me from Hogwarts immediately. Part of me knew it was wrong…I knew better than to inform my parents due to that fact, but I kept my silence." Wrongly kept her silence at that. it might not have had Dumbledore arrested…but it would have had him watched and a record for any further bad behaviour. Maybe stopped nearly all of what happened in the next few years.
"I see, and what happened after the entire incident?" Bones probed.
"Harry was in the hospital wing for a few days, Ron was injured enough to need Madam Pomfrey. We were thankfully, recovered enough to attend the Hogwarts leaving feast…whereupon we were awarded house points very last minute. He deliberately gave us enough points to get ahead of Slytherin…which caused further agnostic behaviour between the two houses… " Hermione trailed off, "I felt as if it had been done deliberately and spitefully…more so in order to get Harry, Ron and I to see him in a more benevolent light." Something she had spoken to at length with Barty, who had helped her so much. To see everything that happened in an alternative light, but ultimately letting her make her own decisions regarding the incidents. He was just a sounding board, let her see the actions from a new perspective. She wished she'd met him before, that he'd gone to Hogwarts…he was so smart. He could keep up with her on both Muggle and Magical things, and encouraged her love of reading…he didn't get annoyed by it like Ron had.
"I see, and the next incident?" Bones urged her to continue and not get side-tracked.
Hermione frowned, this would be her second year at Hogwarts then. "Other than employing someone who wasn't qualified to teach." She said indignantly, "I cannot really recall anything that would have been concerning…I'm afraid that I spent a great deal of my time in the Hospital wing petrified by a Basilisk, that was roaming through Hogwarts using the pipes. Of course, reflecting back, if a thirteen-year-old could figure out where and when with time restrictions and being heralded back and forth to class…I have to admit, it seems only a natural conclusion that the Headmaster must have known as well. In fact, he gave us a piece of information that allowed us to figure it all out. The very same night that Harry was in the hospital wing re-growing the bones in his arm due to Lockhart's negligence in performing a spell he wasn't qualified to perform. Then there was the fact that Dumbledore could have bought fully matured Mandrakes and not forced those who were petrified to miss months of schooling." She was a year older than her fellow classmates, due to her birth date. "I woke up when the entire thing was over, to the knowledge that my best friend had almost been killed fighting a sixty-foot basilisk and my friends almost had their minds wiped. Lockhart paid very dearly for his crimes, now residing in St. Mungo's after wiping his own mind due to a backfiring spell."
"Thank you, Ms. Granger," Bones said, honestly, the girl didn't half like to prattle on but it was useful information so she allowed it. "I've been informed you were given a time-turner for the frivolous use of attending classes?" unimpressed by that information. "Who agreed to this?"
"The letter was signed by both Dumbledore and McGonagall," Hermione explained, "I did not find it frivolous at the time. It was…I'll admit very difficult, both in the extra classes, keeping it a secret and preventing anyone from realizing what I was doing. If given a do-over I do believe I wouldn't have accepted it…or at least I don't think I would have, I was able to save Sirius…and I cannot regret that, Harry deserved some happiness in his life." she couldn't regret that.
"Were you questioned about your use of the time-turner? Made sure that you were coping well?" Bones pondered.
"No, nothing of the sort," Hermione admitted.
"And did you deal well with the strain?" Bones cautioned.
Hermione pursed her lips, "No, I did not," she admitted, ashamed. "I lost my temper in my Divination class…I called my professor a fraud. Regardless of what I think of the subject, I normally wouldn't have done such a thing." The long hours and lack of sleep had finally started getting to her. "It was then I decided against taking divination which lightened my workload a little.
"At the end of the year were you told to use that time-turner to go back in time to save a hippogriff and Sirius Black by Albus Dumbledore?" Bones questioned.
"I was," Hermione nodded, "He explicitly stated, that maybe more than one life would be saved that night. He of course, meant Sirius. I was barely able to stop Harry exposing himself to his earlier version. It was a…very difficult night. Harry and Sirius were almost kissed by the Dementors, Harry was only just able to stop it. It doesn't help that Professor Snape, myself, Ron and Harry as well as Sirius were exposed to a werewolf, and very nearly was bitten but Sirius forced the werewolf away from us, making it focus on him." not naming names, but she reckoned they already knew she was discussing Remus Lupin, his secret had been revealed that night after all. "Thankfully it all turned out alright in the end."
And Sirius Black had told her she was the brightest witch of her year. That had meant a great deal to her, she might know she's smart, but people genuinely telling her so and not just placating her…meant a lot.
"And having experienced all this…why did you not inform the authorities?" Bones curtly asked.
"The Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge was there that evening, but we were accused of being confounded by a professor. I can understand why, truly, but I would have liked to have been questioned regardless so the truth could come out. Something Dumbledore could have done as chief warlock of the wizengamot. To this day…I regret not taking action myself." Forcing someone to listen to her.
"And after that?" Bones urged, wishing to finish with her testimony before they had to call it quits for tonight.
"The Tri-wizard tournament took up the majority of our time," Hermione confessed, "It was a difficult time for Harry, doubly so due to the falling out with Ron and the entire school turning against him for something he didn't do. I'm ashamed to say I didn't help matters, I mostly stayed out of it, trying to keep my friendship with both of them. Even though I knew Harry hadn't done anything wrong I sort of punished him for it too."
"Continue,"
"There's not much to say that hasn't already been said…when Harry returned after…well, after…Dumbledore took him to his office despite Harry visibly showing signs of having been under the Cruciatus Curse and with a painful bite to his leg from what I learned later was a spider." Hermione offered up, "He didn't let him go for hours, I waited at the hospital wing until he showed up." she knew exactly what had been said, she'd came here to get a copy of the transcripts.
"Did you or did you not know how illegal blood quills were?" Bones asked.
"I'm Muggle-born, I had never used one before…I had no idea what they were used for…if I had known I would have protested vehemently." Hermione admitted, "All I could do was ensure Harry and the others all got a potion to help them after suffering detention with her. It was an open secret what she was doing…and if Dumbledore could do nothing…I assumed wrongly that there was nothing I could do in turn. I don't blame Harry for leaving…" not that there had been much of a friendship left, or at all really.
"I see, thank you Ms. Granger that is all," Bones nodded, taking a seat.
"Do you understand that you've admitted to misusing a time-turner?" Diggle began, questioning her.
"Objection, my witness isn't the one on trial," Bones called out curtly.
"I am merely ascertaining the morality of the witness," Diggle stated.
"I'll allow it, answer the question, Ms. Granger." The Minister stated.
"I did misuse it, yes, with explicit permission from Headmaster Dumbledore. I was young, I did not feel as though I could say no…especially with Sirius' life on the line." Hermione admitted, she wasn't scared, she'd already told Madam Bones and she'd signed off on it so that she couldn't get in trouble for revealing that information.
"You say he told you," Diggle pointed out, quite at a loss, there was honestly nothing he could do at this point.
"I would quite happily share the memory, which I'm sure the Unspeakables would know is untampered with." Hermione stated, taking Harry's way to deal with Diggle. "He encouraged us to go, and no matter how many ways you ask the question…it will remain the same."
"Tell us about SPEW," Diggle prompted.
Harry snorted, sniggering at the confused look on Barty's face…oh wasn't he in for a rude awakening.
"It's not SPEW, it's S.P.E.W, Society's Protection of Elvish Welfare," Hermione said exasperated, just as exasperated as she had been when she was in her fourth year. "I do not believe that House-elves should be treated the way they were…I admitted didn't do my due diligence and understand the history behind it. My intents were good and pure, and nothing anyone says will convince me otherwise." Hermione stated proudly.
"She did what?" Barty squeaked out shocked.
Harry muffled more laughter that was bubbling up inside of him.
"You have quite a temper, don't you Ms. Granger?" Diggle continued on relentlessly.
"No, not at all," Hermione stated, giving Diggle a baffled look that it needed.
"Then the rumour that you punched a student in the face?" Diggle expectantly replied.
Hermione's jaw dropped, "Seriously?" she muttered shaking her head, her cheeks flushed in mortification. "It was during my third year, I was using the time-turner…I…was under immense strain, that strain did cause me to be easier to anger. The vile things that were said did not help matters, it was just the once and no charges were filed." she didn't name names, no doubt Draco would be even more mortified if it got out that he was punched by a Muggle-born and then ran away.
"It does show you are entirely vindictive," Diggle pointed out, "Why should this govern body believe anything you say?" pointing towards the wizengamot.
Hermione blinked, "I've never considered myself vindictive, and the truth will out." Refusing to be bated.
"That is all, Ms. Granger," Diggle sighed, glancing at the time, it was time to speak to Albus and try to figure out who they could use as a character witness.
"That concludes the proceedings of the Ministry Vs Dumbledore for today, we shall reconvene part three tomorrow at 9AM." The Minister called out, ending todays session.
"Go ahead," Harry said, seeing Barty wavering, "We're heading home." and it was home to him, had been for a long time now.
Barty glanced at the Dark Lord, waiting for him to approve his divergence.
Voldemort barely refrained from rolling his eyes, "Go," was all he had to say about his Death Eaters detour to visit a Muggle-born, thankfully she was related to the House of Malfoy, which did make her a better prospect than some.
Barty moved immediately, manoeuvring around people to get to Hermione before she disappeared into the crowd and he couldn't find her. The press were desperate to get out to publish the newest news before each other, trying to outdo one another.
"He's setting himself up for disappointment," Harry sighed sadly.
"Why's that?" Voldemort queried as they both left in the crowd, Voldemort didn't want to take the chance of Dumbledore actually recognizing him and ruining his new identity.
"Are you kidding? Contrary to popular believe love doesn't conquer all." Harry sighed, shaking his head, "She's going to hate having been lied to…and who and what he is…is going to be the stopping point for Hermione. She relies very heavily on logic, and it far too sentimental, empathic especially regarding others she views as a victim in need of standing up for."
"Longbottom," Voldemort easily deduced, staring pensively at the girl, trying to gauge if she looked anything like the Malfoy's. "She has Abraxas' wife, Annaliese's eyes and hair colouring." Recalling what she looked like through his murky memories of the woman he'd met only a scant few times. She'd been the epitome of a pureblood wife, seen and not heard, rarely left the manor, waited on hand and foot and hosted teas and parties other than that nobody really saw her.
"Let's head home," Harry murmured, grasping Tom's hand before making a quick exit from the courtroom. The last thing he needed was to be accosted by Ron and Ginny. If Ginny tried anything, she would find herself on the receiving end of an unfortunate accident.
Voldemort followed Harry's gaze, and his eyes bored malevolently at the girl. Silently daring her to approach Harry and himself as he allowed Harry to guide him out.
9AM The Next Day 12th September
"Harry!" Sirius called out the second he saw his godson enter the courtroom. Standing he rushed towards him and brought him into a tight hug, as if it had been years since they saw each other last not mere months. Or as if they hadn't just spoken last night. Giving the guys who Harry entered with a curious look, as he released him. "How you doing, Kiddo?"
"I'm fine," Harry reassured his godfather, "This is Bartholomew, prefers Barty though and Tom…my…partner." Testing the word out, it was much better to use than boyfriend, which didn't encompasses what he was beginning to feel for Tom.
"Barty huh?" Sirius said, "I knew a Barty…you look a bit like him." actually quite a bit, he wondered if he was a Crouch…Harry hadn't mentioned a Crouch at school…although it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility that Barty actually had a kid out of wedlock before he was sentenced to Azkaban.
"Well, we're all interrelated," Harry said wryly, "You know that most of all," his parents had been bloody cousins after all.
Voldemort coughed, glancing sideways entirely too amused. There were times Harry displayed genuine fondness for Black. Then there were other times where he just could not tolerate his childishness or lack of forethought. It was amazing really, how he was even sane after an entire decade in Azkaban and Black madness on top of it.
Sirius gave a bark of laughter, "Alright, Kiddo, no need to get so defensive," he teased him, he was a little tense, but he was actually introducing him to his partner! "Do you have a last name Tom?"
"Of course I do," Voldemort said sounding standoffish and defensive, the subtle smirk crossing his face indicated he was just teasing the wizard.
"Now I see," Sirius said, nodding dumbly before shaking his head as if to shake off his thoughts. They were both quite sarcastic, too amused at others expenses, it was awesome.
"How's the holiday? I mean look at you! You've got a tan!" Harry said, peering around Sirius, "Hey, Remus!" not surprised that the werewolf was allowing him a moment with his godfather. He was much too kind to everyone he met, and probably let himself get used way too often. Thankfully with Sirius back in his life he might get a bit of a backbone if not…Sirius would find it for him.
"Insane isn't it? I've never been able to tan!" Sirius chortled, entirely too gleeful for the situation he found himself in. Testifying before court, which he had agreed to do, signing a document – thank you, Madam Bones! – that would give him immunity from what they heard. So, he couldn't accidentally get himself into trouble. Admittedly, he had to swear he hadn't betrayed the Potters or that he hadn't worked with Voldemort in the past. Turning when he heard doors opening, sighing when he saw everyone beginning to trickle in, he wouldn't have much time to talk to his godson after all.
"We can go for lunch during the break?" Harry suggested, able to read Sirius like a book.
Sirius eyed Barty and Tom before smiling winningly, with more teeth than necessary. "Yes, all of us," he declared.
There we go! Not as long as the past few days didn't get as much written today been out three times and busier than i've been for the past few days :) Still I hope you enjoy the chapters! So, will Sirius try to intimidate Harry's partner? Only to fail? Will he suspect and have Harry needing to reveal? Or will their Identities never be figured out as only those in the know slowly but surely take over? What will inevitably happen to Bellatrix? Will she kill herself? Or just wither without her magic? R&R please