[A/N: Okay, we've finally come upon the push to the end of this prologue and get to the fun at Hogwarts! We're bringing the pain to Albus Dumbledore! Mwa haha haha! An interesting thing I've noticed about Arthur Weasley when he starts up with his exclamations about muggles and how they survive without magic is how similar he sounds to the late Steve Irwin. "Blimey, look here at what these muggles have done with this flashy thing!" (Betcha said that with Irwin's accent when you read that quote!)]
Chapter 6: The Fiery Death of the Bumblebee's Image and the Race to First Year
Dursley Residence, three days after the press release
Ring, ring, riiiiinnggg! The telephone was practically bouncing off its hook early in the morning three days after the open letter to the Daily Prophet hit newsstands. Petunia considered herself fortunate that the magical world knew nothing of muggle communication methods or things would probably be worse. As it was, the constant calls back and forth between she and Vernon to Sirius and Remus was rather distracting.
"Hello? Oh, hi Sirius. No, I haven't read the Prophet this morning yet. What now?"
"That letter has caused a huge firestorm of Howlers and angry citizens to the Ministry. I think the last time folks got this agitated was during the Death Eater trials at the end of the last war. Listen, I know of a way to keep in contact without running up the bills. Moony was going to ask if we could stop by later to visit?"
"Sure, there's nothing going on right now. Why not stop by about one in the afternoon? The kids are in school so we won't be interrupted," She agreed and made a note of their impending visit.
Padfoot and Moony opted to apparate to the Dursley residence since Remus' car was in the shop. After seating themselves around the kitchen table and getting the usual pleasantries out of the way and served a cup of tea, the adults got down to business.
"So Remus? What happened to your car?" Vernon asked.
Moony shrugged, "Nothing really, it just needed a transmission overhaul. The car's over 10 years old and it was in need of it when I bought it used."
"So what's this communication device you mentioned, Sirius?" Petunia inquired.
Sirius pulled out what at first glance were two rather ornate mirrors and handed one to her, "These are communication mirrors that we enchanted during our school years. They allowed us to talk to one another when we had separate detentions. All you have to do to connect with the other is to press the button and say the person's name. That one there is activated by saying my Marauder's name, 'Padfoot;' this one is activated by saying the name, 'Moony.'"
"Wow!" Both Dursleys' were impressed with the enchantments, "How about when you call me? How do I…"
"You answer it the same way. Here, I'll show you." He got up and went into another room. The mirror in her hand vibrated so she pressed the button and said, "Padfoot." The mirrored surface fuzzed out then refocused with his smirking face.
"Hi! Can you hear me okay?"
Vernon leaned in and his mouth dropped open, "True visual communications? The commercial potential must be incredible!" Petunia disconnected as Sirius returned to the kitchen.
"Well not so much," Remus commented, "It takes a lot of skill and patience to etch the runes into the backing and make sure that everything is connected properly." He popped open the back of one of the mirrors and showed off the arrays. Vernon got up and rummaged around in a kitchen drawer before returning with a jeweler's loupe. He affixed it to his eye and peered closely at the etchings.
"Yep, mm-hmm… Very clean etchings. How long did it take you to do up the pair?" He sat up and took off the loupe.
Remus shrugged, "I don't really remember. We made these back in our fourth year. Why?"
Vernon pursed his lips, "Modern muggle manufacturing could probably knock out a couple of hundred of these with no problem. Is there anything special about the power requirements?"
Remus and Sirius just blinked.
"A couple of hundred?!" Sirius exclaimed as he stared wide-eyed at Vernon who nodded.
"Per hour," he replied smugly to their shocked looks, "and that amount could be increased as manufacturing technology gets better."
Remus blinked and shook his head to center himself, "Um, to answer your question, there's nothing really special. Every time you press the connect button it absorbs the ambient magical energy that permeates the world. Barring a complete shutdown of the ley lines, you'll never have to worry about it losing its charge." Remus stammered, still in shock that so many mirrors could be manufactured so easily. Even though he lived and worked with muggles, his interactions was usually limited to the campers and the store owners in town. Sirius had even less exposure…
"Well, you boys can discuss this opportunity at a later time, what was it in the paper that had you calling, Sirius?" Petunia interjected before things got too far afield.
"Hmm? Oh! There's been people calling for a trial to sort out Albus' guilt regarding his theft from the Potter family vaults in general and Harry specifically. The Mot's probably going to want Harry to come in to testify."
Petunia asked, "Do you know when this trial will take place?"
Sirius shrugged with his hands, "No idea. I can contact Amelia and see what she says? I can do it right now, if you want?"
Both Dursleys' looked confused, "How? Our fireplace isn't hooked up to the Network?"
Remus answered that, "There's a phone number to the Muggle Liaison Office who can then redirect the call to the Network."
"Well, that's handy. Muggle to magic communications."
Remus called the MLO phone number who did just as he had explained. Within moments, he was connected to the Secretary to the Director of Magical Law Enforcement.
"Hello? I need to speak with Director Bones, please. My name is Remus Lupin, I'm the Steward of the Potter Family and this is regarding the upcoming trial of Albus Dumbledore versus Harry Potter. Hmmm? I have a couple of questions from Harry Potter's guardians regarding when the trial is set to begin and what sort of dispensations they'll need to attend." There was the sound of murmuring on the other end, "They're muggles. Yes. Two, please. Send them to 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey care of Vernon Dursley, via muggle mail please. Thank you. Goodbye." He hung up the phone.
Vernon looked puzzled again, "Why via normal mail?"
"The wards around the house shield against unknown owls and magical people. Sirius and I only know it because you told us the address. The only other people I know that can bypass the wards would be the Goblins and elves. Their magical signature doesn't register with wizarding wards for whatever reason."
"But that Fidelius ward you mentioned when we had the house checked? Wouldn't you be compromising it by telling that secretary the address?"
Remus shrugged a shoulder, "Odds are that she gets told hundreds of addresses a day and is unlikely to tell anyone who could do something with ill-intent. I'm not worried."
"But what about that ward that prevented us from writing letters about Harry?" Petunia questioned him.
"I think they're targeting Harry's name specifically. When Dumbledore set them up, I'd bet he didn't even bother to know your names."
A package arrived two days later that contained two gold bracelets and a couple of forms along with a schedule of the upcoming trial. Vernon put the bracelet on to try it out and commented that he wondered if they could make one in a man's setting as it looked pretty good on him. Petunia snorted in laughter. They had shared the existence of the mirror with Harry when he had gotten home from school so he could talk and see his uncles whenever they wanted. Petunia spoke with Remus and told him that the bracelets had arrived and they were ready for their trip to the Alley to pick up some robes whenever he was available.
Diagon Alley, Madam Malkins Clothing for All Occasions
"Greetings! Welcome to my shop, I am Madam Malkin. What can I get you fitted for?" The proprietor greeted them, spotting Harry but keeping herself under control. Her assistants were doing the same though their wide eyes betrayed their surprise.
Petunia took the lead on this, Vernon was terrible at picking out fashion, "Hello, my husband, son and nephew and I are going to need just some robes to attend the upcoming trial at the Wizengamot."
Madam Malkin bowed once and guided the four of them into the fitting rooms; one assistant took Vernon to the stand on the left, another led the two boys to the one on the right. "Are you looking for a particular cut or style?" She asked after directing Petunia to step up on the stand.
"No, not really. You see we're muggle guardians of my nephew there and it wouldn't be proper for us to show up in our world's clothing and insult the Warlocks and Witches of the 'Mot."
Madam Malkin was impressed, it wasn't often that the muggle parents or guardians made the attempt to blend in, "Very well, let's see…"
The three seamstresses measured each of the Dursleys' and Harry then brought out a basic cut robe made of high-quality wool and dyed a subtle purple. When asked why the color, it was explained that purple was the color chosen for those who sat on the 'Mot and it would lend a subtle suggestion that they were there for business. Vernon could appreciate that, he'd dressed on occasion with his tie in the favorite color of his prospective client to help land a sale.
Petunia fingered the breast of her robes, "Would it be possible to get the crest for the House of Potter? Is there one with a border signifying that we are the Head's guardians?"
Madam Malkin cocked her head in thought, "Well, the crest itself is easy and yes, we can easily apply it. The guardianship…I'm not sure if there is one. I've certainly never heard of it before."
Petunia dismissed it with a small wave, "That's fine, as long as we have the crest. How much extra is that?"
"4 Sickles each."
"Deal. How long will it take to do up the robes?"
"I can have both robes done within an hour if you wish to do some shopping?"
So Petunia paid for the robes using some money that she'd withdrawn the last time she'd come to the Alley then she and her boys headed out of the store.
After a lovely tea at a little café located just past Gringotts, they returned and got a final fitting then headed home.
4 October 1990 Ministry for Magic, Courtroom Ten Albus Dumbledore vs House of Potter
Harry and the Dursleys' as well as Remus and Sirius arrived just before ten am the morning of the trial. It took two trips in the telephone box to get everyone down to the Atrium but after a quick look around at the decorations, the group headed to the Welcome Desk. A couple of quick words telling the wizard manning it where they were going and a spot inspection of wands, they headed towards the lifts. The crowds parted before them like they were the vanguard of a powerful army. Sirius looked quite powerful in his expensive Acromantula silk robes with the Black crest, Remus' robes weren't as expensive looking but he still cut a dashing figure in robes of a rich sable brown and sported the crests of both House of Potter and Black.
"Hang on," Sirius warned them. The lift's gates swung shut and it suddenly shifted backwards and started dropping rapidly towards Level 9.
"Why don't they have a lift stop for Level 10, Padfoot?" Harry asked as they got off the lift and headed down a flight of stairs.
"Not sure, really. You'd think they would've by now. Anyways, here we are."
"Mr. Lupin?" Dudley asked curiously, "What's in the Department of Mysteries?"
Remus chuckled, "Well, no one's quite sure; after all if it were known they couldn't call it the Department of Mysteries now could they? Really, it's the research department responsible for discovering new magics, examining artifacts from the past, storing prophecies and other dangerous items."
"Neat. So kind of like the tech shop of a spy novel, huh?"
All the adults chuckled in one form or another.
"Kind of like that."
They arrived at the courtroom and got settled into the visitor's gallery. The bailiff came around checking to see who had the proper authority to be there. He spotted Harry gazing around with wide eyes and approached the group.
"Mr. Harry Potter?" Harry's eyes swung down to the bailiff.
"Yes?"
"You're here to give a witness statement?"
Petunia leaned to interject, "My husband and I are his guardians as well as Mr. Lupin who holds the title of Steward. We're the ones who handle the finances and power of attorney for the Potter family holdings."
The bailiff nodded and instructed them to move to the Witness box where they would wait until called upon by the Chief Adjudicator to give their statements. Sirius and Dudley had to remain in the visitor's gallery. Both kids kept waving and making faces at each other from across the courtroom until admonished by Petunia.
Once they were settled in their new seats, a house-elf wearing a miniature Wizengamot robe popped in and asked if they wished to have any refreshments before things got underway. The group had never seen an elf before so when it popped in, they all let out a bit of a shriek which got the elf upset.
"Lonny is sorry! Lonny scared yous! How cans Lonny bes making it better?" the elf cried.
Dudley was the first to recover so he knelt down and patted the tiny creature on the shoulder, "It's not your fault, Lonny. We're not magical, well Harry is but we've never seen creatures like you before."
Lonny sniffed and wiped his nose on a handkerchief before looking over at Harry. His eyes widened comically when he recognized him, "You is being Harry Potter! You is being very famous amongst elves."
Harry rolled his eyes at the admiration but he was curious about the little creature, "Well, thank you though, Lonny but I don't wish to take credit for something I didn't do. The real credit of that night should go to my mother who blasted that bad man to Hell." Petunia made a noise that sounded like she disapproved of him cussing.
"In the meantime, Lonny? We'll take a cup of tea each, please with the add-ons on the side?" Petunia instructed the elf who nodded and popped away. Their teas magically appeared on a tray in front of them.
"Thank you, Lonny." Harry said to the empty air.
The courtroom began to fill up quickly as the time for the trial approached. Dudley had rejoined Sirius in the visitor's gallery by then. Remus kept up a quiet commentary of who the main players in this trial were. He pointed out Director Amelia Bones, the Head of the DMLE, as she entered and got set up at her desk. Minister Cornelius Fudge was easily spotted in his ugly lime green bowler hat that clashed hideously with the plum colored Wizengamot robes. A squat, toad-like woman waddled in behind him wearing so much pink that it made Harry's eyes water.
"Hear ye, hear ye! The Trial of Albus Dumbledore versus the House of Potter shall commence now! Aurors, seal the doors!" the Court Scribe announced, "All rise! Presiding is Chief Adjudicator Amelia Bones with Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and Temporary Chief Warlock Tiberius Ogden assisting. "
Amelia thanked everyone for attending then gave permission to all to resume their seats, "Bring out the accused!"
Camera flashbulbs went off in rapid succession as Albus Dumbledore entered the courtroom, his lawyer following behind. The lawyer had a scowl on his face as the two of them sat at their table.
"Is the defendant here?" She called out.
Remus stood and approached the bench, "Steward for House Potter, Remus Lupin, Chief Adjudicator ma'am."
"Hem, hem."
Amelia tensed when she heard that noise and turned in her seat, "Dolores Umbridge, you are here only as an assistant to the Minister. You have no voice in these proceedings. If you cannot control yourself, you will be removed."
The now named squat witch glared at Amelia but remained silent. Amelia turned back and gestured for Remus to take his seat.
Albus glanced around the courtroom as he entered, his 'disappointed grandfather' countenance going full blast. It slammed to a halt when he spotted Harry sitting in the stands waving at someone in the visitor's gallery; his shock mounted when he saw Sirius Black waving back! This wasn't good; he would need to get through this farce as quickly as possible to determine how to get his plans back on track.
But luck wasn't on his side. Remus was an excellent Steward as he presented one piece of Gringotts verified evidence after another of Albus' mishandling and outright theft of money and properties belonging to the Potter accounts including the Gringotts certified Final Will and Testament of James and Lily Potter regarding the appointment of Sirius Black as Sworn Godfather. Remus explained how Albus' failure to properly follow procedure in getting Sirius a trial, which would've shown his innocence yet was forced to spend nine years in the Azkaban. He presented a copy of the Will that Albus had used to obtain guardianship over Harry and how Albus had signed it as a Witness. Test results were given into evidence to show that the Ministry copy was forged. Over five hundred thousand Galleons were spent on legislation and bribes to various department heads and sitting Wizengamot members to pass or suppress laws, all the while committing fraud by using Harry's name in proxy. The mood of the courtroom grew dark and angry, how dare he do such things to their savior! The bribed 'Mot members grew uneasy as they were outed from their shady, backroom deals. Offshore accounts illegally made in young Mr. Potter's guardians' names then being rerouted to other accounts belonging to aliases of Albus Dumbledore were presented into evidence, illegal book contracts regarding the so-called 'Harry Potter Adventures,' as well as speculative accounts of what happened that Halloween night with all proceeds funneled into (now no longer) hidden accounts belonging to the accused.
"Money and properties aside, there is one item that has my client utterly incensed! I have here a marriage contract written between Mr. Potter and a witch he's never met with Albus acting as the magical guardian!"
"Do you know the name of the witch in question and who signed it in her name?" Amelia questioned.
"The currently underage witch is named Ginerva Molly Weasley; it was signed by a Molly Anne Prewitt!"
"WHAT?!" someone yelled loudly from the visitor's gallery. A red-headed, slightly balding (and red faced) man rose to his feet.
"SILENCE IN THE COURT!" The scribed called out, "who are you, sir?"
"My name is Arthur Weasley. I am Ginny's father, Head of House Weasley and I never approved of such thing! I upon my authority as such, rescind the contract forthwith and will be having a strongly worded conversation with my wife. If Mr. Potter could hear me, I sincerely apologize for this embarrassment and promise that amends shall be made."
Shocking everyone in the courtroom of his presence, Harry rose to his feet and addressed Arthur, "Mr. Weasley? I am Harry Potter and I," he glanced back at Petunia who nodded, "accept your apology and dec…dec…um, Aunt Petunia?" She whispered in his ear, "Declaration." He nodded sharply once then plopped back down in his seat.
First, Petunia was called up to explain who she was in relation to Harry Potter. When the court found out that she and her husband were actually muggles, there was an uproar of displeasure from the darker elements.
"Muggles! In our Ministry!"
"At least they dressed appropriately instead of wearing those rags they normally cover themselves with."
"I don't think they should be allowed; someone get the Aurors and throw them out!
"How dare these muggles come here and violate and desecrate our courtrooms and ministry, this does not concern them!" were such overheard opinions. The scribe pounded on the gavel to reestablish order.
"We shall have order in this courtroom or it will be cleared out!" He yelled out. The room quickly quieted down.
"Mrs. Dursley? Please explain your relation to Mr. Potter," Amelia asked her.
Fortifying herself, "My name is Petunia Dursley nee Evans; I'm the maternal aunt to Harry through his mother and my sister, Lily Marie Potter nee Evans. I, along with my husband raised Harry for roughly the past 10 years since 1 November 1981. He was left on our doorstep in the middle of the night by Albus Dumbledore, as we found out recently by Professor Minerva McGonagall who was there that night. He never announced himself or knocked on our door but just left Harry in a basket with a thin blanket and a heavily charmed and condescending letter informing us about the death of my sister and her husband."
"I submit the letter written in the accused's hand into evidence," Remus interjected, "Please continue, Mrs. Dursley. How did you know that the letter was charmed?"
Petunia went on to describe the effects the letter caused in her and her husband then explained how when they met Remus and told him about the letter, he confirmed that there were remnants of various hate, animosity and other charms targeting Harry still on the letter.
Vernon was brought in as the next witness and explained his part of the story. It backed up Petunia's statement but still raised some voices about why they should believe anything these muggles uttered. A quick bang of the gavel shut them down.
Finally, it was Harry's turn…
In many of the attendees' views, Harry Potter looked nothing like he was reported to be. He was dressed in wizarding robes, had messy raven-colored hair and the legendary green eyes but there was no scar on his forehead! He climbed up the steps to the witness platform and nervously picked at his thumbnail.
"Hello, Mr. Potter, thank you for joining us," Amelia greeted him gently, "I'm just going to ask you a few questions about your life with your aunt and uncle and what you think about what the accused has allegedly done in your name, okay?"
Harry smiled thinly and nodded.
"Okay, so why don't you start with what an average day is like for you?"
"Um…well… I wake up and race to get into the bathroom before my cousin…" he stammered.
"Why do you do that?"
"Because Dudley takes forever to get ready! He leaves his underpants on the floor and always forgets to open the window so the room is full of steam," Harry replied wrinkling his nose. Dudley facepalmed his hand and groaned.
"Go on, Mr. Potter. What happens after your morning routine?" Amelia chuckled.
"Well, if I'm up before my aunt, I'll cook the family's breakfast and get the newspaper from the porch."
'He cooks? He does the work of an elf? How shameful, treating the boy like that!' was heard muttered from some of the lower tier Warlocks.
"Go on, Mr. Potter."
"If it's a school day, I get my backpack and make sure that my homework is complete and wait for my aunt to drive me and my cousin to school. I'm top in my class!"
"That's good to hear. What if it's not a school day? What do you have to do around the house?"
Harry shrugged, "I'll usually putter around our greenhouse getting the vegetables and flowers ready for transplant or I'll be in the outside garden tending to those plants. I have my own herb wall planter in my room too!" He was getting more relaxed and freer with his explanations and gave better descriptions of what went on in the household on a normal day. He mentioned hanging out with his friends and with his cousin's friends to go ride their bikes or hang out at the local park. He also described some of the chores that he shared with his cousin.
"It's my job to make sure that the kitchen and mudroom is cleaned and clear and also take out the kitchen trash. Most of the time, I just spend the day in my room or the kitchen reading and experimenting with my cookbooks and recipes."
"You've mentioned this before; you cook? What sort of recipes do you make?"
Harry shrugged a shoulder, "All sorts of cuisines from around the world. This month we're having American Southwest." Most of the room looked confused so Petunia rose to her feet.
"If I may? Harry and I share the cooking in the house but Harry's culinary skills are far and above anything you could ever believe a child his age should be able to have. It's actually rather difficult to describe his skills; they really just need to be experienced." She then resumed her seat.
"Okay… let's move on. Mr. Potter, please describe to the court your thoughts and feelings about what's been revealed so far."
Harry beetled his brows in thought, "I don't like him using my name for things that hurt others. It's not fair to people like werewolves to be opp…oppressed. They're only dangerous for one night a month! The rest of the time, they work in their jobs, live in regular homes and try to be normal people! The muggle born and raised should have the same rights to education and work as anyone else born to the magical world." He pursed his lips as he tried to find the right words, "I was raised to know that when you go to another country, it's up to you to get the information on how to behave in their society, how to buy things, how to speak their language. It's also the country's responsibility to provide that information too. I've been told that you don't do that here so why is it the muggle born children's fault when they make a mistake? How can they learn what to do when there are no classes on what they need to know?"
Amelia shifted in her seat, Harry's statement made a lot of sense, "Mr. Potter, if you were in charge of determining the accused's punishment, what would you want to have happen?"
Harry tilted his head down and nervously picked at his thumbnail again, "I don't think that he should be in charge of anything. He shouldn't be in charge of making laws and whatnot."
'That little shit, who the hell does he think he is? I alone have the knowledge and ability to lead this world to become the shining example of what is possible! That little brat should've been meek, beaten down and easily led, not this…this strong charismatic boy, I wonder if this has something to do with that Horcrux in his head? Could Tom be influencing him?'
'It takes money, the knowledge on how to work the mindless sheep of magical Britain; someone who knows and can withstand the draw and dark power that public adoration can bring to a young mind.'
'The purebloods need to be in power, it's the only way to maintain our way of life; a life that has sustained itself for nearly a thousand years.'
'We don't need that modern nonsense the muggle born bring in every year. It's my job to slowly wear down their resistance and make sure that they have no hope of re-entering their own society. Magic should be kept within magical families, that much has been proven. Better to have the muggle born marry into magical families than for them to go back to their own world and risk the exposure to ours.'
Albus' mind kept rambling on as he listened to the testimonies given by the Potter boy and his muggle aunt and uncle. The werewolf, Lupin kept on presenting evidence against his dealings with those in power. 'I knew it was a mistake letting that werewolf into the school but I needed a spy to infiltrate the Packs.
It was Albus' turn to defend his actions. Representing himself despite the lawyer's pleading that he let the man do the job he was hired and trained for, Albus got up and paced slowly in between the tables that separated the defendants and prosecution. He clasped his hands in front of his chest and peered over the rim of his glasses in his best 'benevolent grandfather' demeanor. "Ladies and gentlemen of the public, Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, you are here to witness a travesty. A travesty brought upon you and even myself. A travesty perpetrated by two greedy muggles who got a taste of the high life and now!" He pointed with an imperious finger at Harry, "Want to control our very own Savior and The-Boy-Who-Lived, Harry James Potter."
"Everything I've done for our society and yes, some of it was using Mr. Potter's name to get some things done by those that would resist the necessary steps to preserving our way of life, I've done for the Greater Good." He spoke at length that it was actually the boy's muggle aunt and uncle who came to him to siphon money away for their own greedy benefit, "The boy costs us a lot of money to raise they said. He should be working to pay us back and if he has all that money just lying about, some of that ought to come to us!"
His arguments that those laws were designed to protect their society from 'dangerous and unsavory elements,' "What I'm trying to do is to save our society from undue outside influences! Every year, our safe and secure way of life is threatened by those who come in and try to tell us that the old ways are no longer valid. You all need a strong leader and that is I. I am the one who educates the young impressionable minds that their muggle ways are a hindrance to their futures and that they need to let go of their fancy 'technology' and embrace the slower, gentler path that magic provides."
He tried to play on the fears and prejudices of the crowd that the boy had gone muggle and would sooner leave magical Britain to the predations of the muggles if he had the chance. Albus could see some of the Warlocks nodding their heads in agreement with his speech and smiled internally. 'Sheep, the lot of them. They'll fall in line just as they always do. This farce of a trial will only serve to strengthen my grip over the boy.'
The 'Mot retired to deliberate the evidence and returned almost an hour later with their verdict. A verdict that stunned Albus to his very core! 'How dare they go against me! Even the ones I paid off to vote in my favor turned against me!' It had been decided in a vote of 42 to 8 that Albus Dumbledore was found guilty on all counts of theft, fraud and illegal Will tampering from a Noble and Most Ancient Family. Albus was forbidden from any further interactions with the Potter and Dursley families. His accounts and holdings would be drained to start repaying the money he stole while his wages would be garnished until full repayment was completed. He was removed and barred from taking and holding any office within the Ministry and lost his seat on the International Council of Wizards as Supreme Mugwump. His appointment as Headmaster would be determined by the school's Board of Directors at a later date.
Outside the courtroom…
Arthur Weasley managed to confront Harry in the hallway leading back to the stairs that would head up to the lifts back to the Atrium.
"Mr. Potter, I'm very sorry what my wife and Albus conspired to do to you with that horrid marriage contract. Again, I promise that when I get home, she and I will be having a long conversation about what's right for our children." He said contritely.
Harry silently nodded his acceptance then at Petunia's nudging, held out his hand, "Thank you, Mr. Weasley."
Upstairs in the Atrium…
The floor of the Atrium was crowded with reporters and public all hoping to get a glimpse of The-Boy-Who-Lived before he could leave the Ministry. A platform had been set up and the Minister was pompously holding his own court with the reporters.
"I think justice had been served today. Albus Dumbledore did a very bad thing and is now being punished. Just because he'd been venerated for his actions nearly forty years ago for his part in the defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindlewald, doesn't mean that he can alter the laws of the land like it's his own personal playground. I just hope that young Mr. Potter and his guardians do not hold the actions of one against the rest of us and can rest easy now before Mr. Potter goes off to Hogwarts."
When Harry and company got back up to the Atrium, they were besieged with requests for an interview on how they felt the trial went. Petunia rolled her eyes at Remus who shrugged and suggested that they get it over with. The group climbed up onto the platform where Sirius took the opening, "Ladies and gentlemen of the media, Mr. Potter will be saying a few things and taking a couple of questions. Please limit yourselves to just a few questions. He's just a child and all this chaos is wearing on him."
Harry nervously approached where Sirius was standing and cleared his throat. He waved shyly, "Um…hi. Um…I think the trial went well. It's a shame that that man couldn't lose his headmaster job too but my…um, adviser? Yeah, adviser… he said that that job was determined by another group of people so I'm not too upset."
A hand went up, "Hello, Mr. Potter. Daniel Tribune of the Daily Prophet, do you think the verdict and subsequent punishments against Albus Dumbledore were justified?"
Harry nodded until Sirius reminded him to speak his answers aloud, "Um, yes… I do."
"Mr. Potter! You said in your letter to the editor in the Daily Prophet that you've not traveled around the world despite the claims of the books and announcements from Dumbledore. Now that you're aware of the magical world, do you have any plans to go visit those sites?"
Harry shrugged, "Maybe. You'd have to speak with my aunt and uncle about that."
The reporters turned their attention to Petunia and Vernon Dursley next. One asked what they thought of how the trial went and what their plans were for the coming future.
Vernon waved Petunia on, "We, as Harry's guardians, plan on doing the very same thing we've been doing for the past ten years. We will always be loving and supportive of our nephew to the best of our ability. We both feel that the trial went well and that Albus got what he deserved. Whether or not he remains as headmaster of Hogwarts has yet to be determined but at this moment, we both feel confident enough to allow Harry to attend come September."
Time Skip July 1991
The intervening months leading up to July were full of activity on both sides. Petunia and Vernon along with Remus and Sirius did their best to shield against or at least filter the news of what was going on to Harry. Harry was of course, happy to let the adults deal with the financial and public image stuff. He was only ten, he didn't need to know who said what and frankly, didn't care. He figured that by the time he got to Hogwarts, the whole thing would blow over. They were asked multiple times to give more detailed statements or outright interviews about their views on the verdict and each time, the requests were denied.
Also during the intervening months, Harry managed to teach Hermione the basics of cooking and baking; she could no longer claim the notorious ability to 'burn water' as she frequently put it. Her talents lay more in snacks and simple foods like egg salad sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, baked 'fried' chicken or the occasional pizza but she was definitely getting better, Harry and Dudley no longer cringed when she announced she was bringing something over for them to eat while they studied.
The two future Hogwarts students received some preparation education in the subjects that would be covered in greater depth at the school. Remus taught them some of the general theories in their core subjects while the elective classes were occasionally touched on. Sirius took over when Remus was unavailable due to his condition or needed around the campground. Hermione's favorites were the etiquette and customs as well as transfiguration because it included things like how to hold and behave at parties and dancing with Harry. She enjoyed the transfiguration because it was a difficult and challenging subject akin to engineering which had always fascinated her. Harry enjoyed them as well (Hermione was a good dancer in his opinion) but his favorite subjects were Potions and Herbology because to him it was just like his garden and cooking. Harry once asked Dudley if he was feeling left out because they were going somewhere he couldn't; Dudley would just smile and shake his head.
"Nine whole months without having to compete with you for the bathroom?" he joked back and slug Harry on the shoulder, "I think I'll be okay. Besides, I'll be going to Smeltings so I won't be too bad off."
The Hogwarts Board of Directors held their meeting to determine Albus' fate and ruled that an observer would join the staff to oversee the headmaster position. That observer, known as a High Inquisitor, would be classed as outside of Albus' chain of command and report directly to the Board of Directors. Said position would not interact with the students unless it was an emergency situation. The question rose then as to who it should be. Many names were passed around until one of the members reached out to the Dursleys' for their opinion. The name that came back surprised everyone…
Late June 1991…
"You want me to take the position of what?!" Daggerclaw yelled in shock and disbelief. Director Ragnok of Gringotts, the Board of Directors as well as Harry, Petunia and Vernon were meeting in a conference room within Gringotts.
"We would like you to be the High Inquisitor to oversee the headmaster's job and actions within the school. You would be perfect for it, Daggerclaw. You are utterly impartial to the school's internal politics, completely honorable and driven to complete the assignment, honest and blunt to a fault and best of all, you'd refuse to take crap from Albus! You get to micromanage him to your heart's content every decision he makes and ignore his whining." Petunia explained with a smirk at the look of feral interest growing on the Goblin's face.
"Say I do take the position, who would handle my job here at the bank?" Daggerclaw inquired of his boss.
"You would remain in charge of the Potter accounts during the non-school days and they would be put on hold while busy with the headmaster. I do not foresee this being too much of a stress for you."
Daggerclaw sighed and glanced at each of the other occupants. He looked up to the ceiling for divine intervention before swearing something in the mother tongue, "Fine. I'll do it."
The conservative faction of the Wizengamot were naturally up in arms about allowing a Goblin into such a prestigious role, especially Dolores Umbridge. She kept complaining to anyone who stood still long enough for her to waylay and espouse her bigoted ideas that the Goblins should remain where they'd always been and leave the important jobs to the 'fine upstanding people of proper bloodlines.' Minister Fudge finally got tired of fielding complaints by his department heads regarding her actions and reassigned her to the diplomatic station in the Amazon.
Friday 26 July 1991 Dursley Residence
"Brek!"
Harry looked up from his reading of the comics section in the newspaper and spotted an owl sitting on the windowsill looking back at him with its golden eyes and a letter tied to its ankle.
"Oh, you poor owl!" He said as he got up and untied the letter, "Who sent you out so early in the morning? You should be resting; wait a moment and I'll get you something to eat and drink. You're more than welcome to roost in our tree and take a nap if you'd like." He pulled out a thick slice of ham and cut it up into bite sized pieces and filled a cup with water then placed it next to the owl. The bird hooted its thanks and dug in heartily.
When he read the letterhead, his eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. 'It's my Hogwarts letter! It came! It really came!' He thought excitedly. He quickly read through it and took note of the request to send a reply back as soon as possible. He dashed out of the room then returned a moment later, asking the owl to wait. "I'm going to get a piece of paper! I'll be right back!" he said breathlessly.
He scribbled out his reply then rolled it up and reaffixed it to the bird's ankle, "I meant what I said, if you need a nap, feel free to do so. I may be excited but I won't endanger your life. It wouldn't be right or fair." He patted the bird lightly on the back then dashed off again to the mirror hanging in the hallway. He jammed his finger onto the button and called out, "Padfoot." The connection took an inordinate amount of time in Harry's mind but Padfoot's sleepy face appeared in the mirror.
"Yawn… what's up, Pup?"
Harry held up the letter excitedly, "It came! The letter to Hogwarts! It's here. I can be ready to go shopping in ten minutes, can we go today?"
Padfoot just stared stupidly at him for a moment before shaking himself awake again, "Ah, let's see what your aunt and uncle have to say, eh? I don't mind taking you but maybe later. It's too early anyways, most of the shops wouldn't be open." He gave a still sleepy farewell and signed off.
The rest of the Dursleys' arose and made their way down to the kitchen for breakfast where they found an overly excited Harry practically fizzing with energy. Vernon blearily glanced over at the coffee maker but saw that it hadn't been used yet so that went the thought that Harry had drunk some coffee. Petunia glanced at the calendar, her eyes widening when she realized that it was just about the date when Minerva told her that the 1991 calendar school year letters would be going out.
"Harry? Did you get your acceptance letter from Hogwarts perchance?" she drawled.
Head nodding rapidly, Harry practically thrust the letter into her hands before hurrying back into the kitchen to grab some homemade berry syrup for the stuffed waffles he made.
Petunia read it over and in a haughty voice said to Vernon, "Vernon? It seems like Harry got a letter to a school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It sounds all hoity-toity; do you suppose we should allow such action? Is the boy worth the fuss?"
Vernon grinned evilly, "Well, I don't know. What has he done around here that's worth putting in the effort to drive him anywhere? What sort of fees are we talking about? After all, if we have to pay then I say that we should be reaping the benefits."
Harry stared wide-eyed and mouth hanging open at the two of them before letting out an indignant screech and throwing his hands up in the air. Both adults broke down laughing at his reaction, "Relax Harry. You're going."
"Not funny," he groused.
Harry went over to visit with Hermione for the day to share with her the news that he'd gotten his letter and to plan for a day when their two families could go down to Diagon Alley to get their stuff. Thanks to the other times they'd been in the Alley and because of the foresight of both mothers, Harry and Hermione already had their trunks, parchment, pens and other hard goods aside from their defense book. This made things easier because they wouldn't have to fight the crowds aside from the ones in the bookstore.
"It's a shame that the Defense professor keeps changing each year, we could've gotten everything we needed in one fell swoop," Hermione commented that afternoon as she and Harry practiced their dancing one more time. Harry surprisingly never complained about dancing with Hermione, even when they didn't have lessons. He also never told her why he never complained; he liked being close to her and her hair smelled wonderful like freshly baked cinnamon bread.
"I would like to go to the Alley once more, I want to see if I could get an owl to take with me to school."
She looked puzzled, "You have a communication mirror, why do you need an owl?"
Harry shook his head as he guided her into a twirl, "Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon have the mirror. It's only between them and Padfoot. I want to get an owl because you can't send packages through the mirror."
She looked thoughtful before shrugging, "It's up to you or Miss Petunia, rather."
Harry did manage to convince his aunt and uncle to let him get an owl. It turned out that he didn't choose one rather the owl chose him. Harry had just entered the store when he heard the soft rustling of flapping wings and a moderately heavy weight settle onto his shoulder. It was a Snowy Owl and it was gazing at him with a content look and softly hooted at him before nuzzling and preening his hair.
"Right smart bird, you have there Mr. Potter. She's turned away everyone else who's been interested in getting her."
"She's beautiful," Harry breathed, "I'll take her."
When he and the owl got home, Hermione joined him up in his room so they could decide on a name. After a long and careful search, they agreed on the name of 'Hedwig.'
Day after day, Harry made a point to check off the calendar and excitedly stare at the date of September first which grew ever closer.
[A/N2: No recipes worth showing you this chapter, I wanted to focus on the trial and aftermath as well as the run up before the first of September. I have to say that the trial fought me tooth and nail. I'll admit that writing courtroom scenes is just NOT my forte but I needed to branch out from my comfort zones in order to grow as a writer. As always, if you did or didn't like it; please leave a review.]
Major edit: 10/23/20
