Author's Note: Oki Doki, where was I? I'll be updating this note with relevant stuff a bit later. I'm dogged right now. For now, just read and enjoy.
Chapter 5: Justice
Madam Director Amelia Susan Bones, sat behind her polished oak desk rolling her fingers in time to a tune which played in her head. She was reviewing a report which had been provided by Auror Tonks the evening before. She'd already read it once of course, but considering what was coming this evening it was prudent she reread it to get the facts straight. If the evidence could be trusted, which according to the tests she'd had run, and the facts she'd had Rufus run down on the sly, they could. Then Magical Britain was about to get shaken to its foundations. Who knew how things would settle out following a mess like this.
She was in the middle of such thoughts when she heard a furtive knock at her door causing her to look up. She couldn't help it, with the kinds of corruption she was potentially facing down she pulled her wand from its holster, and held it just below the edge of the desk. "Yes? Enter," She called pretending distraction, even though her entire attention was on the doorway.
The door cracked open and a familiar red haired head poked in and smiled at her. Her hand immediately relaxed and snuck the wand back into its holster. "Susan, come in," She said smiling.
Susan Bones, her niece and sole surviving relative, as good as a daughter to her. In many ways Susan was her daughter, she'd raised the girl since her parents deaths all those years ago, when the child was just an infant. She was the joy of her life, smart, witty and at times more than a little sarcastic in a way an ex-beat cop could appreciate.
Susan had shot up a bit over the previous months since she'd returned home from Hogwarts. A bit taller and ganglier but also a little more curvaceous and buxom too, Amelia reminded her get herself a really big stick to keep the boys off her in the coming years. Her hair was a little unruly and her clothing a little rumpled, but Amelia was disinclined to get too bent out of shape on that score. "Hey Aunt Amy" Susan greeted using the moniker which Amelia allowed only her to use. "I'm clocking out, should I wait up with supper or go ahead on my own?" She asked happily plunking down in the chair across the desk from her de facto parent. It said something positive about Susan that despite her aunt being more easy going than most parents would be, that she didn't take advantage and run amok. She'd in fact revelled in the chance to spend more time with her family member by signing up to help with gopher work at the DMLE. She hoped to apply to become an Auror someday.
Amelia sighed tiredly and shook her head. "You had better go on ahead, I've got a big case to oversee today in the courts," She admitted, but not saying more. Susan understood, her Aunt was very close lipped about her work, as she should be. One thing her Aunt had not been light handed in was her education in what was right and wrong. And slipping her the gory details of court cases would be wrong.
"Ah, well that sucks, what time do you expect to be home?" her niece asked.
Amelia shrugged delicately as she tidied up her desk a touch. "Hard to say, it has the potential to be…what is that word you use? Begins with a G?" She asked smiling.
Her niece smiled, "Ginormous," She said her voice full of mirth. She'd taught her aunt the ridiculous word herself.
"Ginormous, if the case goes the way it has the potential to go, it could be huge." Amelia said simply.
"Then I'll grab you something on the way home, and keep it on the warmer," Susan promised. It became a bit of a ritual between them that Susan would prepare something whenever her Aunt was going to be late. "You feel like crepes?" She asked thinking of a good muggle restaurant near their home in near South Kensington Station in London.
"Always," Amelia agreed, grinning, knowing the place was one of her niece's favourites. Her niece shifted to get up when a thought occurred to Amelia. "Do you know anything about Harry Potter?" She asked curious.
"Boy-Who-Lived, is in my year, but in Gryffindor, I know as much about him as anyone, save his best friends at Hogwarts, I suppose, why?" Susan asked surprised by the unexpected question.
"His name's crossed my desk recently," Amelia explained vaguely.
Susan snorted and laughed, "Yeah, that sounds like Harry, why what happened this time?" She noted a dry note entering her voice.
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Trouble maker is he?" She asked worried.
"No, or rather…not exactly," Susan admitted hesitating. "He's more like a trouble finder? Or maybe it finds him?" She speculated. "You know that person who's always got to be in the thick of things fixing them?" She asked, Amelia nodded. "If there's a problem at Hogwarts and he finds out about it, he's there busting his hump to fix it. Unfortunately, that can get you up to your eyeballs in trouble." She noted.
"Ah, yes I think I understand, he's a white knight then?" Amelia asked.
"In some ways? Absolutely, always one to side with the underdog against people like Malfoy and his thugs. He's got a bit of a mischievous streak, and has some of that teenage stupidity that all us kids get sometimes." Susan said, unusually introspective for someone of her age.
"Like him do you?" Amelia asked picking up on a note in her nieces voice.
Susan pinked then shrugged. "Wouldn't say no to him throwing a look my way, then again not many of the girls at school would. He's the flippin' boy-who-lived after all."
"What's he like?" Amelia asked curious.
"He's nice, kind, or at least he always has been to me." Susan said. "Smarter than he lets on too and like you said, a bit of a White Knight…" She noted her aunts speculative look. "Why? Is he involved in this hearing you have tonight?" Susan asked peering closely at her aunt's face.
Amelia sighed. Her niece always was a bit too observant and smart, "Yes, but you aren't to mention that to anyone, ever, you hear me?" She reminded sternly and Susan nodded dutifully.
Susan smiled. "Well, I hope it turns out okay for the poor guy. He had a crumby year last year. I—didn't help any…" She admitted shame face. "Bought myself one of those Potter stinks badges to support cedric. I'll have to apologize for that when I see him next, that won't be awkward at all." She said grimacing. Amelia chuckled ruefully. "Will we be hearing about it in the paper?"
Amelia nodded. "One way or the other, almost certainly," she agreed.
"Then I look forward to reading it." Susan said smiling and getting to her feet.
Her aunt snorted indelicately. "I wouldn't, Rita Skeeter's being tapped as court reporter for this. Likely because Fudge know she has no scruples." She noted.
Susan winced, "Ugh, I hate that woman," Rita had always been less than complimentary of her aunt. "You'll just have to give me the real deal once it's hit the papers."
Amelia nodded as her ward reached the door, "You've got my promise."
—
They headed out for the ministry at around three o'clock, Amelia had wanted them to come in early, to get some things prepared for the trial. Because of the absence of the Weasleys, who were still away despite assurances that they would return in time for the hearing, Tonks, who seemed to have become their unofficial bodyguard, would be accompanying them in. They got sorted for travelling out in the open, and then walked the several blocks to the station at Halloway Road.
Harry stood with Kara waiting for Hermione to make her way through the line of Holloway Road station to buy the lot of them tickets. Tonks was watching their back just outside the entrance. Harry was looking at a magazine rack and shaking his head. "I still can't get used to it being 2015 again, I mean so much is like I remember it, and yet so much isn't when I really look at it. Cars are different…Hell the city's skyline is different." He pointed out. "Your pals sent me back in time to fix my mistakes, repeatedly." He said blown away by the level of expenditure. He of course said this in a low voice so as to not be overheard.
"Well yeah, but soul evisceration is apparently very messy, that was way more expensive to fix than just a time jump." Kara said shrugging.
"Just what the bollucking hell does a soul evisceration involve?" He asked worried.
"It's what we call it when your eternal form gets borked on the end of the devils spear-trident thingy, and you and everything to do with you gets splattered across a large portion of recorded history." She said tiredly. Harry just gawped at her. She sighed. "Look when you got borked, It's like you got erased from history, like you never existed, except you can't just remove a person like that without a few paradoxes, and the like happening. We had to put your mangled self back together, and then put the torn up portions of history back together in a semi-recognizable fashion." She explained.
"And how exactly did I end up getting "Borked on the end of the devils spear-trident thingy" he asked justifiably horrified.
"Ron. He figured he could buy his way to fame, glory, and all that crap by selling your soul to the highest bidder. We fried his brain so the possibility wouldn't occur to him again by the way. Point is Ron tried to sell your soul. You struggled as you are going to do when the devil's trying to grab hold of you and you accidentally got borked. You got horrifically spattered all over and we expended most of our capitol for this node getting you back. Ron got his soul taken instead because, guess what, the devil's like that when his prize gets messed up. We fixed you then reset you…Yeah—you wouldn't come out from under my desk for a year after that. It took that long to talk you into giving it another try. It was disturbing listening to you go on like that, it really freaked out the other souls I had to meet and greet…" She grumbled.
"I got borked!" He protested. "And Splattered,"
"True, but it still wore on my patience after a while." She said shrugging.
Hermione was returning from the ticket booth. She noticed Harry's disgruntled expression. "Hey, what are you guys talking about?" Tonks walked up behind them.
Harry snorted, and was relatively honest. "The theory of soul evisceration and how it might happen." He said and she gave him a weird look. Tonks barked a laugh from the back. "We figured it'd probably happen if Ron ever tried to sell my soul to the devil and I got borked on the end of his trident thing." He argued.
"You talk about the strangest things sometimes…" She said muttered,
"Hey, you have to admit its an interesting concept. Admit it, you're contemplating it now too." He said smiling at her. She shook her head. "I most certainly am not!" she said primly. "Besides everyone knows it's a spear not a trident." She said with certainty.
They rode the tubes until they reached Leicester Square station and walked from their through a series of back streets to reach the Ministry of Magics guest entrance, which was just as fun to try and pile into as it had been last time around. Passing security was easier this time since they were in the company of an Auror. Tonks led the way acting as a sort of tour guide.
The Ministry of Magic, Kara decided, looked like one giant restroom, and not a very impressive one. The place used more in the way of decorative black tiling, and brick, than should be legal. Add to that the tacky brass fittings and accents everywhere, and the effect was complete.
Tonks made her way further in, followed by the others.
"This place reminds me of a sewer or something." Harry muttered and Kara snorted.
"Harry," Chastised Hermione. "This place is our centre of government. Just because you don't agree with the minister…" She said huffing
"No Hermione, he's totally right, way to much tile and pipework." She said mirroring her thoughts from earlier.
Tonks led the way to the central monument, she offered a little commentary as they came up to it. "The statue of magical brotherhood," She said faux solemn. They stood together for a time staring at the thing, Hermione and Tonks wandering around the far side, in search of the placard that would tell more about it.
"That got melted during the first time "V" stormed the place. And don't let the statues fool you, aside from house elves, no non-human looks at witches and wizards that way. The Centaur would be trampling, and shooting them, and the goblin would likely be cheering or placing bets." Harry murmured. Kara snickered. He paused checking to make sure nobody was in hearing range "Amelia Bones, that's the lady we met yesterday, is the current head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's the aunt of one of the girls in my year, Susan. Susan's parents were both killed in the last war. Amelia has basically been raising her since. In the last go round, she was killed by Lord Voldemort himself, apparently she put up one hell of a fight. While alive she had a reputation of being tough but fair. I intend to try and appeal to her, to undermine some of Fudge and Umbridge's maneuvering in the trial."
Tonks and Hermione returned a minute later, Hermione scowling and muttering about artists perpetuating stereotypes. Tonks was just shaking her head amused. They eventually found their way to the offices of the DMLE on the other side of the main "square" within the ministry. Tonks carefully led the way in through security. They were searched but were not stopped, nor thanks to Tonks, were their wands confiscated. They walked into the waiting room outside the directors office a couple minutes later. Tonks asked the secretary to let Amelia know Harry wished to speak with her quickly prior to the hearing.
They were allowed in a minute later. Amelia stood, and greeted him personally when he walked in. "Mr. Potter, delightful to meet you when you're not standing in the middle of a blood bath, I've heard a great deal from Susan, and who is this?" She greeted wryly and shook his hand and then indicating Hermione. Harry introduced her, and Amelia indicated she knew her name from accounts from Susan.
"I just wanted to say before we get started, I will gladly submit penseive memories for this trial, and will submit to Veritaserum for questioning during this trial if required, I merely request you restrict all questions to coming from yourself and silence me if they ask questions of me which are not applicable to the case. I also request you bear with me in my explanations, they will appear to ramble but where they lead us should be illuminating to one such as yourself." Harry said practicing his polite and reasonable routine.
"One such as myself?" Madam Bones asked interestedly, smiling ever so slightly.
"A woman of justice, not of politics." Harry said simply.
"Very well, I'll agree to the terms you requested, and will question you myself using both truth serum, in order to ensure the validity of testimony, I believe under the circumstances we can successfully argue that it is acceptable to use it on a minor…" She paused when Harry chuckled. He put up a hand for a moment and pulled the ring from his finger and presented it to her to examine. She held it and looked perplexed, "A family ring?"
"My age won't be a problem at all, as of the reading of my parents will two days ago, I am now Lord Harry James Potter, and thus a member of the peerage and an emancipated minor,"
Madam Bones smiled ruefully handing the ring back with a look of satisfaction. "It is funny ." She said smiling as she sat back. "I do not recall Susan ever describing you as politically astute. A bit rash sometimes?" She asked.
Harry looked down chagrined. "That's because frankly, I wasn't politically astute, I was rash. But some things have opened my eyes. Though I'm sure considering the current case, you could indeed argue I am still reckless."
"One further thing, it is just a precaution again to preclude any risk of tampering, I would like to submit my wands into your custody personally, as they will also be material evidence in the trial." He stated simply. "My associate here will be doing the same. Her name is Kara Smith just so you know." He offered. He pulled each wand twirling them so their tips faced himself and handed them to her grip first. She raised her eyebrows at his wrist holster and the extra wand, but did not question further. Kara imitated him and passed her own over, albeit somewhat grudgingly in the case of her special wand from Ezekiel.
"Excellent, a fine precaution Harry, one which I was about to ask for myself. Now then here is what you need to know, the trial will begin with you being brought to the witness seat and you will be read your rights and you will be made to swear to tell the truth, this will be a non-magical oath as forcing magical oaths is against the law. I will do my best to keep questions about the Order of the Phoenix out of it." She explained. "That would do nothing but give Fudge ammunition to distract the trial from his own possible misdeeds. You will be dosed with Veritaserum so there are no questions of honesty, you will likely need to point out your own status as a Lord and legal adult to the court, thus sealing it in the eyes of the law. You will then be questioned. I will try to stay applicable to the case, but in order to ensure justice is done I may have to get uncomfortable at times. Do you understand?" She asked. Harry nodded. "At this point we will have you submit memories for viewing, by the end of which you should begin to come out from under the serum and questioning will stop." She noted.
He was looking thoughtful. "Actually, so long as it is medically safe, I'd like to request a larger dose and that you question me about a couple additional subjects." He said smiling wanly. "Namely the topics the Minister has been attempting to silence me on, Sirius Black and the matter of Voldemort's return." He watched her flinch slightly at his name. "I will answer questions and submit memories, and you can go to town from there."
She considered that, "You truly have memories proving his return then?" She asked a little pale. He nodded. "Then, this time, while we have Fudge on his heels, if that's truly where the trial leads, would be the perfect time to expose such a truth." She agreed.
Hermione spoke up here. "Will they take measures to make it clear the Veritaserum is in effect?" She asked.
Amelia nodded smiling. "Yes, of course."
"Alright, just one more thought, maybe let it be two separate doses as opposed to one large dose, let him recover a bit between doses. The side effects of Veritaserum can be extreme." Hermione noted hurriedly.
"I will consult with our experts before administering the dose" Amelia promised and Hermione sagged in relief.
Amelia looked to the clock and nodded. "We should just have time to reach the courtroom if we all leave now." She said huffing satisfaction. "Follow me."
—
They encountered Dumbledore, waiting idly beside the doors to the courtroom. Amelia grimaced at seeing him, "Albus, are you here to stand witness for the defence, or are you just here to cause trouble?" She asked a touch bitingly.
"I was indeed hoping to speak in Harry's defence," Dumbledore agreed.
Amelia nodded only a touch less tensely, "You will be placed to give your testimony last, we've already planned the order up to that point, If we have time you may speak," She said sternly then made a gesture to the Auror guarding the door, a man Harry recognized as John Dawlish. The man nodded, and jogged off after letting them pass.
"Mr. Potter please sit in the witnesses Chair." She directed and Harry moved to comply. Kara and Hermione stayed with Dumbledore, though they threw him an encouraging smiles from the sidelines.
Harry looked about the familiar room and spotted all the faces he expected to see. Fudge was bustling on his podium, and was clearly preparing to deliver a speech. Git. Thought Harry to his self. He spotted Umbridge, but was careful to ignore her for now. It was hard, he wanted to track her with his eyes. She was dangerous enough in her own right.
Fudge only waited for Amelia Bones to sit before starting in. "Ah Harry Potter," He started contemptuously. "I see you are punctual, I trust the room change did not trouble you too much?" he asked false sympathetic.
"Room change, I wasn't aware?" Harry taunted, keeping his voice completely stoic. "And I do not believe I gave you permission to address me in such a familiar way Minister Fudge." He retorted. Amelia razed an eyebrow at Harry, he just smiled thinly.
Fudge was visibly thrown by this, as were several others. "How else would have us refer to you?" He asked laughing a bit.
"To one such as you? Perhaps by my title? Lord Potter." Harry said neutrally.
Fudges face lost some of it joviality.
"I finally inherited my families holdings, Minister." Harry said mock cheerful "Do not tell me you do not know? It's been a couple days now since the writs went through." Harry asked.
"Very well…" Fudge conceded ignoring that parting jab raising his chin a little. "We are here for the trial of Lord Harry James Potter, in regard to the…" Harry raised his hand, and looked to Madam Bones. To Harry's surprise Fudge stopped immediately as well, though he looked far more irritable than Amelia about it.
"Yes Mister Potter?" Madam Bones said, already looking a bit amused.
"I'm sorry, I was operating under the assurances this was a hearing, not a trial. A full Trial seems a bit extreme, don't you think, for cases of underage magic?" He asked pleasantly.
"You used magic in a crowded muggle…" Fudge blustered.
"Hearsay! I would argue the alley, and tunnel were quite nicely deserted." Harry interrupted. Fudge looked livid. Madam Bones looked fascinated, as though watching a squirrel plot a faster-than-light jump. "In addition, what was I supposed to do? Allow Dementors to feast upon myself and the one with me, during both occurrences?" He asked baiting the trap.
"So you claim, convenient, how highly controlled and secret magical beasts find you of all people in the middle of downtown London. Just two days after another pair of the same supposedly found you is Little Whinging Surrey" Fudge sneered. Harry could have sworn he heard the bizarre giggle of Umbridge follow that.
"Two Dementors, the first time, and ten the second with roughly fourteen thugs, your honour." Harry stated turning to Madam Bones, and nodding. "But as I doubt you will believe me, I submit to questioning under Veritaserum, and will provide a Penseive memory." Harry declared, Fudge actually paled.
"You can't use truth serum on a minor" He protested weakly.
"Ah, but I am not a minor am I Minister. I'm a member of the Peerage now, a fact you confirmed the moment you referred to me by my title." Harry taunted smiling. "And even a minor can submit to the penseive,"
"He is correct Minister, and since the presence of Dementors implicates several ministry offices you will sit out the questioning, are we understood?" Amelia interjected smiling thinly.
"This is ridiculous! You cannot possibly be agreeing to this absurd dog and pony show Amelia…" Fudge spat.
"Can I not? It is unusual enough, for a Minister, to try and sit in on legal proceeding as is, let alone when he is possibly involved." Amelia noted sternly. "Some might say it's downright suspicious." Fudges mouth clicked shut, and sat with a thud, thoroughly chastened. "Now, Lord Potter? We will read you your rights and will begin calling witnesses," She said then recited said rights, quickly before asking for the oath. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God?" She asked stoically.
Harry nodded. "I so swear," He agreed.
She nodded satisfied. "You may retake the seat then," She said smiling.
Tonks stood on guard below the primary gallery. She technically wasn't part of these proceedings, she had filed her report late yesterday evening, not long after the rather sudden end to the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. She looked over the courtroom. Harry sat in the witness chair at the centre of the room, Director Bones stood next to him speaking with him, Hermione, Kara and Dumbledore sat just off to the right of them. She brought her focus back to Harry.
Hermione was tense, gripping the arms of her chair tightly. Veritaserum was a dangerous substance, an overdose could do any number of horrible things to a person, and the outcome of this trial was less than certain. Harry sat at apparent ease in his chair as he nodded agreement to some murmured instruction Amelia provided. He tilted his head back and she droppered three drops onto his tongue. "We will start with baseline questions, starting with your full name." She said.
Harry's eyes had gone vague and distant, his voice flat and monotone. "My name is Lord Harry James Potter of Most Noble and Most Ancient House Potter," Harry relayed in a stoic voice.
Amelia nodded checking off something on her clipboard. "And is Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging Surrey, your home?" She asked.
"No," Was the prompt answer and she raised an eyebrow. He explained, "I do not consider that place my home, nor those people my family."
"Could you explain a bit?" She instructed.
"I consider Hogwarts or wherever my friends are my true home, and them my true family, however if you are inquiring as to whether or not it is the residence in which I take shelter? Yes, I suppose so," He answered. Hermione was touched by his answer about considering her family, it was just like him, which was comforting.
"Very well, what is your age?" Amelia asked.
Tonks noted an odd tick in Harry's jaw before he replied. "15 years, by the calendar." Well that was an odd response, what the hell was that about? She wondered.
Amelia simply made a note on her clipboard. "What house were you sorted into at Hogwarts?"
"I was sorted into Gryffindor," Harry reported, then continued. "The sorting hat was going to put me in Slytherin, but upon my request put me in Gryffindor, as I was also well suited to that house." Hermione was shocked, she herself had been considered for Ravenclaw, but had requested Gryffindor, she didn't realize that Harry had experienced something similar.
Amelia looked surprised at that, Tonks heard voices murmuring in the gallery behind her. Amelia looked to the guest section, and Dumbledore spoke. "The hat merely notes predispositions, not absolutes Amelia, One may choose what kind of person they will become, can they not?" The old man asked smiling wanly.
Amelia nodded, then flipped a page in her notes, "A follow up question then and we'll get to the matter at hand. Why did you ask to be placed in Gryffindor?" she asked curious.
"Two reasons, first, the only Slytherin I had met up to that point was unpleasant," this elicited a laugh from the crowd. "Second, I liked the values Gryffindor is based on. I wish to be brave, and honourable. To be worthy of my friends." He said simply.
The courtroom was silent while they all digested this. Hermione wondered if that meant he thought his friends were brave and honourable and so felt the need to be the same, or did it mean he believed he need to be brave and honourable to deserve friends?
"Very well," Amelia said eventually. "We will extract a memory from you now of the events in the alley way. Are you prepared?" She asked Harry, who nodded deferentially. "Then focus on the memory in question and we will continue." She instructed and Harry closed his eyes before nodding. She incanted something under her voice and raised her wand to his temple. There was a slight flicker and a silvery strand came away. Hermione watched entranced as the small flickering wisp which was a fragment of her friends consciousness was lowered carefully into a provided vial. A device was rolled out of the shadows, a bowl like contraption she recognized from a textbook as a pensieve. This one had an additional device secured to its side, one which the director slotted the vial into. It chirruped three tones in sequence and a light flashed green. Amelia nodded in satisfaction. "Memory confirmed as authentic." She said and extracted the vial.
Madam Bones poured the vial into the basin and began tapping the runes inscribed on the side of the bowl. The memory was projected into the air high about them, enlarged so all could see.
Harry himself had his head tilted back and cocked curiously as the Images and sounds began. Hermione watched riveted at the level of detail. It was as good as watching a video from the muggle world. She watched as Harry and Kara, from Harry's perspective, realized something was wrong. She watched the image judder slightly as his focus waned and he shuddered. She listened to him realize that there were Dementors coming. Then their flight to the alley, it followed as they made their way into the alley, several of the court laughed lightly at Kara's sarcastic comment in the memory. "Yeah, because going down the alleyway, where no one can hear you scream when the monsters come for you, is a great idea." The memory continued and showed Harry expertly casting spells to repel muggles, and to make them less noticeable. Amelia paused here.
"Let it be recorded that measures were taken to conceal the use of magic from muggles." she instructed. Hermione looked over to notice Fudge was flat out scowling now.
The memory resumed, and they noted Harry instructing Kara in how to cast a patronus. It showed the first cluster of Dementors Harry spotted, and him trading positions with Kara, the weaker caster in the pair. Madam Bones directed an approving nod to Harry smiling slightly. Hermione noted the disturbed twittering from the audience as they noted how many Dementors were present. It showed him launching his patronus, and then turning as the Dementors scattered, and observing Kara's own efforts. Here they paused again.
"I have never heard of a Humanoid patronus before." Amelia noted, Hermione agreed, she'd never read anything of the like.
Harry pointed to Kara, "The caster is right here. Why not ask for a Demonstration?" He asked, she considered that then nodded drawing Kara's primary wand and handing it to the girl.
Kara looked nervously at Harry, and he nodded encouragingly. She grimaced in concentration, and cast. "Expecto Patronum" and the court found themselves gazing at what appeared to be an Angel, or at least an image of one.
Amelia was enthused and passed around the image until it eventually faded. "Impressive—you are apparently a good teacher, ." She noted, smiling slightly.
"Thank you Madam Bones, I just want to say one thing before we continue…" He requested and she nodded. "Something a little shocking's about to happen, everyone prepare themselves please," He suggested dully.
She gave him a bemused look, but nodded before hitting the rune. A few moments later a large portion of the audience, Hermione included, jumped as the last Dementor lunged at him from above. And then descended into startled murmuring, as he cast the patronus wandlessly down the monsters throat. The muttering stopped as they watched Dementor flail, puke up it's souls and then die exploding messily all over the alley. Here Madam Bones paused it again.
"First thing I should ask is. "You can cast a patronus wandlessly?" Bones asked looking stunned.
Harry nodded. "That surprised me, I hadn't done any intentional wantless magic before that time. All I can say, is that it likely had to do with the threat of death by Dementor kiss" He pointed out quietly. "I can attempt to duplicate the feat if you'd like?" He offered. She paused then nodded.
Hermione hoped he could force enough emotion past the potions effects to cast, "Expecto Patronum" and to her gratification he managed to cast, not as strongly as if he had a wand, nor was it as focused, barely being identifiable as a stag, but he managed it. The dim apparition cantered about the room then faded. She reflected on just how beautiful a creature it was.
"Very good, Harry," Madam Bones said nodding in satisfaction. "Now that brings me to the next point. It appears we've discovered Dementors can in fact die. What do you believe those lights that shot from it were?" She asked.
"I can only assume, but I'd guess those were souls it had eaten." Harry said shrugging. "I have no idea whether or not that is true, but the evidence seems to suggest it is." He pointed out. Hermione concurred within the privacy of her own mind, that based on the evidence they had seen it was a reasonable hypothesis.
Madam Bones nodded thoughtfully then pressed the rune. The memory started back up. It showed the arrival of the masked thugs, Hermione felt her gut clench in fear at their numbers, his instructions to Kara for fighting, and the thugs drawing on him and her. It covered him, and the thugs exchanging fire. It covered him drawing his second wand, which received muttering, and him trading fire again until the green curses started flying. He gave the order to seek proper cover. She watched as the curse struck Kara in the back and she went down screaming. Harry took down the caster but then something odd happened. His vision blurred and images flashed, images of her, Hermione, lying on the ground vacant eyed beneath two vague black cloaked figures, and then they were back, except Harry wasn't the same, it was like he was seeing black cloaks where before there had been grey and now he was irrational, the images blurred around the edges and he upped the ante of his attacks.
Madam Bones grimaced watching one of the thugs get hit by Lassis Ossus, and losing a leg. She paused it. "Harry what happened just then, that distortion?" She asked frowning.
He answered in a monotone, a tendon in his neck jumping, "A nightmare, I was reliving it there in the alley," He said hesitantly. Hermione peered at him closely, He has nightmares about me dying? She wondered. Why? Amelia nodded acceptance. "That was a pretty serious curse Harry, I am familiar with it through my work, but where did you learn it?" She asked sternly.
Harry understood her concerns. "Last year when I was forced to compete in the Tri-wizard tournament. I went out of my way to learn magics more in keeping with what my opponents used. I snuck into the restricted section, I plied seventh years with questions and looked up things referenced only in passing in the books i'd already read. This one was mentioned briefly in an intermediate level defence book in reference to a duel in which an Auror was wounded critically. I looked up the referenced texts and found out about this one. I never used it in the Tournament, it was too harsh. But when those men in the alley started throwing those green curses at me?" He explained quietly.
"You thought they were casting unforgivables…" Amelia said nodding. "You responded by increasing your own lethality. I will keep this in mind before rendering judgement." She agreed, and watched the continuing battle. His curses and way he ruthlessly cut down all opposition. She whistled impressed and a little stunned by what the boy had accomplished. She stopped the memory as the last thug fell and he turned his attention to Kara who was curled up on the ground. "Harry, after this pointed Aurors began to arrive on scene, and you were interrogated…" She noted.
Here Fudge bolted to his feet, a strange look of terror in his eyes. "Objection, why was I not informed of this?" He asked demandingly.
She turned to him giving him a scolding look. "My officers are not required to inform you of every incident they arrive at, are they Fudge?" She asked, and he flinched. "Especially not just because you yourself have an unhealthy interest of late in those involved. He sat chastised.
"What was found while you were being interrogated?" She asked.
"A wallet and badge on one of the wounded, a man whose leg I had destroyed with a bone shattering curse. I cauterized his wound myself to save his life…" He explained.
"You helped save the life of one of those attacking you?" Amelia asked intrigued. Hermione wasn't surprised, that was just the sort of person Harry was.
"Yes, I could not conscience allowing him to die, when I had the opportunity to prevent it." He explained.
"Interesting, It just so happens I have the wallet I.D and Badge in question," She noted pulling the objects in question from her pocket, "Do you know what our investigation turned up?" She asked, smiling thinly. Harry shook his head. "I found out the men who attacked you were all in fact Department of Magical Corrections Officers," This caused an eruption of noise from the galleries.
Fudge stood and blustered loudly. "Amelia, this is ridiculous, you cannot honestly believe that the ministry would…" He tried.
She glared at the man and he stopped, the galleries stilled to listen to what would come next. Hermione was enthralled. "Aurors? Protocol one," She said and their was a static charge which raced around the room as the doors sealed and the anti-apparition barricade went up. Fudge paled. "In fact, I can, I confirmed the authenticity of the evidence, I interrogated the surviving staff myself, and had my second. Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour search the offices of the DMC for any paperwork. He did not find anything at first, until he searched the documents scheduled to be destroyed." Fudge suddenly looked terrified. Amelia smiled dangerously as she held out a hand to the side, an Auror stepped forward and handed a slip of paper into her hand. She waved it for all to see.
"A writ, Ordering ten Dementors, and fourteen out of uniform penitentiary staff to deploy to London, and apprehend Mr. Harry James Potter by any means necessary. Up to and including administering the Dementor's Kiss. Signed Delores Umbridge, undersigned by Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge." She said accelerating at first thing slowing and hissing the last part. "Cornelius care to explain yourself? Sic'ing a set of Dementors, and Ministry staff on an underage wizard in the heart of London?" She asked, and Fudge mouthed silently for a minute, before getting up and trying to leave his podium.
"This is ridiculous I am Minister of Magic…" He started.
"And where do you think you are going? The doors have been sealed and the wards won't spin down until I order them to." Amelia noted dangerously.
"Amelia I order you…" He tried.
"Shut it, Fudge. You don't give the orders in the courtroom. I do." She said positively gleeful. "Now Cornelius, return to your seat, and sit the hell down." She spat. He did so reluctantly before She turned to Harry and continued more gently. "Harry? How are you feeling, has the potion worn off yet?" She asked.
He nodded and sighed rubbing at his neck. "Yes, Madam Director, and I feel better, thank you for asking," He noted tiredly.
Hermione sighed relieved, the worst appeared to be over, the Ministers were now thoroughly implicated, and their own side had the initiative. Harry nodded smiling slightly, "On matters pertaining to the mishandling of Justice, I formally request that a search be given, for the records of the trial of Sirius Black, and that should they be found, corroborating memories be obtained from those who attended it." He requested. Hermione smiled. This is brilliant, if he can manage this, things will be so much better for Sirius. She thought pleased. She peeked a glance at Dumbledore, who was actually staring open mouthed. Kara looked gleeful.
"Indeed?" Amelia waved to one of her Aurors who left to do just that, passing through the wards unhindered thanks to her permission. "And what do you think doing such will achieve?" she asked.
"I believe it will prove that Sirius Black did not get a trial. Which he should have seeing as a proper investigation would have turned up that he wasn't guilty." He replied simply.
Cornelius was sinking down in his seat.
"If he wasn't then who was?" Amelia asked.
"Peter Pettigrew, the supposedly dead former friend of my family. In actuality he was the one who betrayed my family. My family will details, that he was in fact the secret keeper, not Sirius. He cut off his finger in his escape turning himself into a rat. I have the memories necessary to prove this of course. I can also prove he was hiding in plain sight for many years. Among the Weasleys as their pet rat." He turned to the house scribe, and waved. "Hey Percy how's that job workin' for Fudge goin'?" He asked faux cheerfully.
The red head who was now the focus of the whole court paled. "Scabbers?" he stammered confused.
"Come on Percy, think about it. Rats live two or three years on average, Scabbers was over ten wasn't he? And seriously Ron didn't bother to tell you any of this?" Harry asked smiling slightly before turning back to Amelia.
"Very well Harry, you have my interest. Lets see what eventuates then, shall we?" She said, looking like the cat who swallowed the mouse, and possibly the cream too. She turned to the crowd. "So, you are getting all of this aren't you Rita?" She asked, and for the first time Harry and the others noticed the reporter working feverishly in the shadows. The woman, who was still seriously repugnant to Hermione, threw up a thumbs up, before returning to writing as fast as she could.
Amelia turned back to Harry and whispered to him. "Any chance, you're looking to be an Auror Harry?" She asked offering a thin smile.
"I've seriously considered it ma'am, I've got some work ahead of me though." He admitted, thinking of his O.W.L.s. Hermione smiled at the thought of an Auror Potter. Gallantly traipsing about saving the day, it was the perfect job for a man like him.
"Well if this is the kind of work I can expect from you, I might just ignore the bloody tests should you apply, either way." She said smiling happily.
—
Finally, a few minutes later, the Auror Madam Bones had sent to run the search returned. And to Harry's actual surprise, with absolutely nothing to show for it. He would have expected Fudge to try and cover his tracks a little better than that. A few faked reports or something. Was the man really just that incompetent?
"Really Fudge, not even a trial?" Amelia accused, sounding thunderstruck. "What, you figured you had your man, and tossed him straight into the worst hell hole on the face of the planet?" She asked aghast. Apparently the court room agreed. There was significant shouting and finger pointing from those assembled. All Fudge could do was gasp like a landed fish.
The director was less than impressed by this defence. " ? Do you have the memories necessary to prove Peter Pettigrew survived, and that he was the one responsible?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, however it links nicely with my next rambling jaunt down memory lane. The last one I promise, we can kill to birds with one stone, or rather one memory." He chuckled darkly. He was amazed how well this trial was going, oh, part of it was just how poorly Fudge and Umbridge had hidden their own hand in all this. But it was astounding none-the-less.
Fudge was looking at Harry as if a dragon had materialized in the centre of the room, and it was now eying him while licking its chops. Umbridge was white as a sheet.
Amelia looked excited, and intrigued. "Oh and what do you have for us now?" She asked smiling what for her was the equivalent of impishly.
"A small preface I think then?" Harry said trying to keep himself focused, he knew the next part would be delicate, "Over the last couple months I have suffered somewhat at the hands of Fudge, and the media who interviewed him. Miss Skeeter? Would you be willing to repeat some of the names and references made to me?" He asked politely of the loathsome reporter.
She looked pleased to be included in the action. She was after all the worst sort of media vulture. "I believe he referred to you as a liar, a murderer, a victim of confundus charming, and a very confused young man, among other things." She replied happily.
"Indeed he did, I'd like the chance to clear my name of such accusations, I'd like to show you my memories of the night of the third task, and show you Peter Pettigrew at his masters side." He looked to Amelia, the nearest non-hostile person, "That is to say, I intend to show you the face of Lord Voldemort. I will submit to Veritaserum upon completion of the viewing." He said speaking to Amelia again.
She had flinched, admirably little, at the use of the Dark Lords name. She knew this was where he intended to go but hearing the name was always a shock. "You have proof of…. Yes! Somebody get that serum, and…Hey!" She shouted, and pointed. "Just where do you think you're going Lucius Malfoy?" She demanded.
"I was just, stretching my legs? Before viewing this fascinating showing…" He protested feebly, a strange look on his face.
"He's trying to run." Harry murmured, in an aside to Amelia. "He features nicely in this next bit." He revealed.
She pretended he'd said nothing. "Really? Aurors? Would you make sure the audience remains seated. Perhaps call for an additional squad?" She requested from her guards, smiling sweetly at Lucius, who if possible looked even more pale than before.
She turned back to Harry. "Merlin's balls Potter, if you have what you say you have…This is gonna kill Fudge's term as Minister, and upset the whole applecart. Are you ready for that?" She asked, he nodded soberly. This was what he wanted after all. "Then allow me to extract the memory." She repeated the operation before, once again confirming the memory hadn't been tampered with, before dumping it in the basin and playing it.
The memory started and he leaned back closing his eyes. He had no wish to see what was going to play in detail. It would be bad enough to hear it again.
Hermione saw Harry sprint out of the maze, and into the centre at the end of the third task. His meeting with Cedric, and their agreement to try, and take the cup together. She watched as she was suddenly cast with him into a strange dark graveyard. She looked over to see that at some point Amelia put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. The action continued. Hermione and many others gasped at the high cold voice. She heard and participated in the groans as Cedric died, heard the Dark Lords plan and his rebirth. She heard a scuffle behind them while the part depicting him calling his servants to him was shown. She turned to see Tonks and a couple others wrestling Lucius Malfoy to the ground. She heard the Dark Lord's speeches, his torture of Harry himself, making her wince in sympathy, it was obviously pain beyond anything she imagined possible. And finally… Priori Incantatum. The playback was paused here.
"What is this?" Amelia asked curiously. Harry opened his eyes but avoided looking up.
"Priori Incantatum" He explained. Speaking words Hermione had heard before, but not linked with this context.
"My wand, which you have in your possession holds a feather from the same Phoenix that provided the feather for Voldemort's. They are brothers, they will not willingly fight each other, when the two of us forced an altercation, they locked…" Harry continued. "My wand forced his to regurgitate it's previous acts. You will see." He said and re-closed his eyes as the playback started.
Hermione gasped in surprise at the presence of the spectres which faded into existence. She wept that he had been forced to speak to the incarnations of dead friends and family. Harry listened as disinterestedly as possible through the final part of the battle, and his return to the cup with Cedric's body. He heard the memory end as he appeared back at the third task.
Only as the light of the image petered out did he open his eyes. The room was deathly silent, and all eyes were on him. He noted Hermione's were streaming with sympathetic tears. "I am ready for the serum. Lets get this settled once and for all." He said his voice rough.
Director Bones approached with the vial, and poured a few drops on his tongue. Immediately the world shifted, and he focused on her face. His emotions going blank again.
"Are you prepared Mr. Potter?" The Director asked hushed, as if afraid of what she was about to hear.
"Yes Madam Director, I am." His voice sounded unnaturally uninflected even to him, it made Hermione and Kara shudder.
"We'll start with the basics again. Your Name?" She requested.
"Harry James Potter, Lord of Most Ancient, and Most Noble House Potter," He intoned.
"What house were you sorted into at Hogwarts?" She asked.
"I was sorted into Gryffindor," He reported.
She turned back to Harry. "Harry, who is guilty of betraying your parents to V-v-Voldemort" she stuttered. Harry would be impressed when he looked back upon it later.
"Peter Pettigrew, their secret keeper." He replied.
"And who was that we saw in the cemetery just now, helping the…creature, and helping murder Cedric Digory?" She asked.
"The same man." Harry said.
"And…was that Lord V-Voldemort?" She quavered.
"Yes, I felt his presences in my scar." He intoned. Part of him was screaming for him to stop. He was venturing into dangerous territory.
"Your scar?" She asked.
"Amelia…" Cautioned Dumbledore, knowing where this was going. Hermione's eyes flicked to the old man wondering what was happening.
Harry fought the drug to no effect.
"Yes, my scar is a remnant resulting from his attempted murder of me as an infant. But it is more than that." He intoned. Hermione's eyes snapped to him next.
"Amelia please…" Dumbledore asked.
"What is your scar?" Amelia continued too fascinated to back off.
"The mark indicating Voldemort's mistake," Harry answered.
"Mistake?" She asked intrigued.
"He had prepared a spell, a method for making himself immortal, he intended to utilize my death to fuel its completion." He reported continuing to struggle.
"And?" She urged.
"As he died, his spell was rebounded by my mothers sacrifice, his own death fuelled the completion of the spell, a portion of his soul was wrenched clear, and fused…" he turned his eyes on her. "To me." He finished. Hermione's eyes widened in understanding.
"You have a portion of Lord Voldemort's soul within you?" The Director asked in the deep hush.
"A small peice, less than one-one-thousandth of his soul, not enough to overwhelm my own, not enough to give him new life in its current state," Harry was uncertain how he knew that, but he did.
"You say he intended to do something similar from the start. Is that how he survived his initial death? Through one of these soul shard?" Amelia asked, secretly within his head Harry was impressed how quickly she was grasping the truth.
"Yes," He said simply.
"And there are more of them out there?" She asked.
Harry finally found a foothold of control as the drug started to bleed out. He temporized. "There was at least one more." He admitted.
"Oh? Was?" She asked.
"I destroyed it. Though I did not understand what it was at the time." He admitted.
"Tell me about it" She instructed.
"Tom Riddle's Diary was given to a young woman attending Hogwarts. This was done by Lucius Malfoy, with the intent of causing harm, and perhaps releasing his master again? I cannot be certain, I do not know his mind." Harry lamented. Hermione remembered that object and pieces started to flow together in her mind.
"He was at the graveyard too. You saw." He reminded Amelia.
"How was the diary destroyed?" She asked. "Are there more out there?" She asked.
Harry fought for control but the last vestiges of the serum were tricky. "The diary was destroyed when I stabbed it using the fang of the Basilisk I had slain during second year. As to whether or not there are more…" He fought bitterly. "Yes, at least five. Voldemort likes the number seven." He admitted grudgingly. Hermione was horrified by the concept of so many abominations out there.
"And how do you know about this?" Amelia asked, but he had gotten the upper hand finally and the drug was mostly gone. For the first time in minutes he lied.
"It was not hard to figure out. Voldemort's presence caused me physical pain, couple that with the notion that something held within a book could be reborn as a full fledged version of the Dark Lord? The answer was if not simple, than relatively easy to reach." He replied careful to allow the serum to control his voice as long as possible, perhaps it would last for one more question?
Hermione followed his logic, but it was missing something. Something she couldn't put her finger on. She filed it away for later.
"Very well. How will you destroy the fragment in yourself?" The director asked curious.
"I-I do not know, not for certain. I hope that it is possible to do so without destroying myself," He explained and Hermione flinched at the implication. Her friend was trapped in a permanent stalemate with his nemesis.
"Madam Director?" He asked as the last vestiges left his system. "I believe the potion is wearing off? May we stop now?" He murmured dully, allowing his weariness to enter his voice.
She looked at him appraisingly for a time. Then smiled."Yes, we may stop. Thank you Harry. Is there anything else?" She asked.
"It's up to you ma'am, you're the boss." He answered, laughing tiredly, and she chuckled appreciatively in response.
"Very well, all in favour of dismissing charges against Harry Potter, raise you wand." She instructed. Harry heard the ripple in the crowd, and Harry heard Hermione and Kara cheer quietly behind him. "All in favour of opening an investigation into the activities of our Minister and miss Umbridge?" She asked. This time he looked up. The majority had raised their wands. "All in favour of finding Sirius Black innocent?" She asked. Again the majority raised.
"And finally, all in favour of recognizing Harry Potter's claims that the Dark Lord Voldemort, is not in fact dead?" She asked her voice shaking a little. All wands rose.
"Then that is all." She said. "Is there anything else Lord Potter?" She asked looking to Harry.
"Just a small favour, it's not a big deal if you turn me down. Would you relax my restrictions on use of magic please. I'd like to tutor miss Smith here prior to returning to Hogwarts, i'd like her to get some better footing before throwing her in the deep end." He explained. Hermione smiled in approval. That was a fantastic idea.
Amelia smiled almost disbelieving. "You manage all this? And all you ask for is the right to teach another a little magic?" She asked. "I'm pretty sure I can manage that." She said happily. "As a bonus, anyone else you'd like to include, beside yourself, and miss smith?" she asked cheekily.
"Hermione Granger?" Harry asked, and the girl in question gave a stunned and excited yelp.
"Consider it done." The Director said satisfied. "Have a good day mister Potter, despite your revelations about the Dark Lord, I'm finally feeling optimistic about what's ahead," She marched off. "Oy, Fudge, where do you think you're going?" she called angrily.
Kara hurried over Hermione hot on her heels. "Had me scared there for a minute Harry" the American admitted.
"I scared myself too." He chuckled. He got to his feet, and watched idly as Lucius was dragged away cursing.
"Harry if I might speak with you for a moment." Dumbledore asked from the sidelines.
"Yes sir," Harry acquiesced shuffling over to the old man.
"It appears you've figured out a great many things, anything else I should know about?" Dumbledore asked eying the young man carefully. This was a worrying development for the old man. Hermione wanted to roll her eyes, now was not the time for this.
Harry scraped together all his remaining skill at lying, and a handful of truths and half truths and spoke. He also threw every bit of power into his mental shield he could, just in case. "A little more sir, I held it back for fear of a panic at the end there. I've seen a bit prior to my Occlumency training—Yes, I suspected you already knew about that." Harry noted sourly.
Hermione was confused. What in blue blazes was Occlumency?
"A vision for lack of a better, word. I linked to his snake once…" he admitted. Hermione, gasped understanding about what he meant by link. Perhaps this was what was causing the changes in him?
Harry then remembered he'd have to find a way to save Arthur from Nagini when on guard duty. "The way I figure it. I could only link to it too if it housed a bit of him." Hermione concurred but wondered how such a thing might work.
"Well Harry, You've managed to figure out more than I ever dreamed of, I'm very impressed. Anything else? Or can we head back to headquarters, and spread the good news?" Dumbledore asked smiling, Harry wasn't sure if it was a happy smile or not.
"You've got a private message in the will my parents left. A little money for the Order" Harry remembered belatedly. Dumbledore nodded. "Oh, and my parents left a written copy of the prophesy for me to read." He saw no benefit in hiding that, not really, and Dumbledore stumbled to a stop at that.
Hermione blinked, once again wondering what Harry was talking about. Just how much had he been hiding? From her, from everyone?
"Ah, I'm sorry Harry I should have been the one to tell you that." He apologized, sounding honestly aggrieved, though about what Harry couldn't say.
"No matter sir. I've seen it now, and I think that the one must die so the other can live bit may be circumvented in the end." Harry said. "At least I hope that's the case."
Hermione's insides roiled. She couldn't believe it. Harry was the subject of a prophecy which spoke of his possible death. Not just some palm reading by a back water illusionist, the real deal?
"Would you mind terribly if I tested that you are separate from Voldemort, Harry. I'm understandably suspicious about anything pertaining to Voldemort's remnants." Dumbledore requested. This infuriated Hermione, the old man was so fixated on Voldemort, he couldn't grasp what these revelations must be doing to her friend. Was this the answer she'd been searching for? Why Harry was now so strange and distant?
"Go ahead sir." Harry said.
Dumbledore probed a bit with his legilmency, and with a handful of spells but came away looking pleased. "As if it weren't there at all." He said happily, honestly relieved to notice how well at least one thing had gone. A not inconsiderable worry laid to rest for a time at least. "Well, that's a stroke of luck. We finally find ourselves with the initiative." Dumbledore noted happily.
"We rolled a natural twenty on that one sir" Harry teased, Hermione chuckled appreciatively at the reference.
"Hmm?" Dumbledore asked confused.
"Muggle thing sir…" Harry sighed. Dumbledore was better than many about muggles, but he guessed that was a bit niche even for him.
"Excuse me, Lord Potter!" called an unfortunately familiar voice approaching him. He turned to see an eager looking Rita Skeeter. "Lord Potter," She said smiling dazzlingly. "Would you be willing to answer a few questions?" She asked.
Harry honestly didn't want to, but he could see the benefit of answering at least a little. "Five questions" He decided, "Pick well." He hedged. Hermione glowered threateningly at the woman from the sidelines.
Rita nodded looking pleased to even be getting that much. "Okay, let's see?" She said digging through her notes. "Uh…How do you feel about how this meeting went?" She asked, starting with a soft ball.
"As well as I could have hoped for, these things are tiring aren't they?" He said feigning affability. Hermione could tell he was faking it.
"Yes, indeed they are, though this was more exciting than anticipated." Rita gushed. "The next question is about Sirius Black, you've claimed for some time that things were not as they appeared, I believe. But, can we expect the Heir of House Black to show himself anytime soon now that he's been cleared?" She asked.
"I do not know, that would be up to him. I hope he gets out under the sun a bit, life on the run must be hard." He noted soberly.
"Indeed, indeed, uh….bup,bup,bup. Ah yes, what else might you tell us about the connections between you and Lord Voldemort? Specifically the wand, and the soul fragment." She asked lobbing a hard ball.
Harry scowled a little. "The twin wands thing has got to be the whims of fate or something, I mean what are the chances right?" He asked, she nodded sympathetically, though he didn't trust her sincerity. "As for the soul fragment…Huh, Well as I said under the serum, I know it's not strong or growing stronger, which is a relief. All in all, I have to approach it thinking of it as an unfortunate remnant of his attack on my family, another scar as it were." He offered, pseudo honestly.
"Indeed, I would try and think of it like that too. It'd constantly give me the shakes otherwise." Rita said nodding. "All right, question four. Who do you think should be the next Minister for Magic? Fudge isn't likely to be in for much longer after today." She asked, a bit of an easier one.
"I don't know who the candidates are. Out of the big wigs i've seen today? Well Madam Bones impressed me, tough and fair right? But I have no idea if she'd even want the job." He said smiling crookedly. Hermione winced, Rita could run quite a long way with a statement like that.
"Ha! Yeah she probably doesn't, but you never know right? Alright one final question. Are there any potential Lady Potters in your life right now?" She asked hurling the equivalent of an interviewers holy hand grenade. "Perhaps Miss Granger? Or this young lady here? She did after all stand at your back during a fight…" She said eagerly, hunting for a juicy bit of gossip, pointing to Kara.
"I'm afraid not, me and Hermione, or Kara aren't like that, but why don't you ask Kara a little about herself. She was involved in the hearing after all, and as you noted she fought back to back with me." He deflected smoothly, he noticed Kara glared at him for that.
"Alright then, would you like to say anything young lady?" Rita asked hungrily.
Kara scowled for a moment, then amped up her Jersey accent, now sounding like she was back home in Newark. "Hi! I'm Kara Smith from one of the independent New Jersey Covens. I'll be transferring to Hogwarts this year. I'd heard about Harry in regard to the school and looked him up, we're friends now, nothing more, nothing less. The fight was scary, but Harry's amazing to watch work like that. He's like a Gunslinger from an old western muggle movie. Look that up it'll make for a good bit to add to your interview. Otherwise, no, nothing really to add. Oh! Look here comes Madam Bones." She said, laying it on thick right up to the end.
Madam Bones scowled a little at the reporter, before handing them back their wands. "Use them in good health." She said smiling thinly before wandering off with Rita in hot pursuit.
—