The Letter of the Law
Summary: What if the Aurors in the Order took their job a little too seriously? What if Harry killed a Muggle in self defence? What would Harry do in response? A "what if" story.
A/N: I always wondered what would happen if the Aurors in the Order followed the law as it was written. They weren't trying to be bastards, just upholding the law. And in their eyes, Harry was a criminal.
xxx000xxx
Grimmauld Place
"Dumbledore, the boy is coming with us," Shacklebolt said. "He guilty and must face the consequences of his actions."
Looking at the assembled Aurors, he began to think it was a bad idea to bring law enforcement personal into the Order. "I'm sorry," Dumbledore said as he calmly stood up. "I can't allow you to take him."
"But he killed a muggle," Tonks said as she worked herself into a fury. "He…"
"Even if he was guilty, I would not allow you to take him. He is too important to the war effort."
"You're walking a fine line," Moody growled as he stepped forward. "Better be careful or you'll end up crossing it. Now, tell us where you hid him."
"I can't do that," he said as he smiled.
"You can't or you won't?" Shacklebolt asked.
"I can't. I have no clue where he has hidden himself," Dumbledore said. "And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"He's either here in this house or at Hogwarts," Moody said as he tried to use his eye again. The old man had warded the house against it. "If we have to, we'll be back with more Aurors to search this place from top to bottom."
"Let's go," Shacklebolt said as he turned towards the door. "We'll not going to get much help here."
xxx000xxx
"Why didn't you tell them where the boy is," Molly ranted. "I'll not have that monster around my children or in my home."
Turning to her, he said, "I didn't tell them because I don't know. I removed the charms on his wand and told him that he would be hunted. That was the last I saw of him. Hopefully he made it out."
"But…"
"And this is not your home," he said. "It belonged to Sirius and now Harry."
"Why are you protecting the boy," Hestia Jones asked. "It's not like he'll be the one to kill He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"I can't go into it," he said again. "Just know that he is important to the war and without him, we'll be looking at a dark future. As for the muggle, it was self defence. I saw it when I looked at his memories. The man attacked him and Harry acted as he thought best. It may not be what I think he should have done but it was his choice."
"Well, you can consider this our resignation from the Order," Molly said as she grabbed her husband. "I will not allow my family to be involved with a murderer. He killed the man and that was wrong of him. Come on children, let's go."
The rest of the Order watched as Molly dragged her family and Hermione towards the floo and ushered them home.
"That wasn't unexpected," Emmeline Vance said sarcastically. "What now?"
"Now we hope that Harry managed to find somewhere safe to hide. He…"
"Dumbledore," Dung rasped out as he stumbled into the room. "They've caught the boy."
xxx000xxx
Ministry of Magic
Courtroom 9
"Order," Madame Bones called. "This court will come to order."
"Give him to the Dementors!"
"Let the boy go. He didn't do anything wrong."
"Boy did the right thing, filthy things those muggles are."
"Cast…"
"Enough," she yelled. "This room will come to order or I'll have every last one of you all next to him." Once the room calmed down, she said, "We are here for the trial of Harry James Potter, accused of killing a muggle. We…"
She was interrupted as the doors swung open and Dumbledore walked briskly towards the dais. "I believe that it is common practice to have the Chief Warlock in attendance when conducting a trial of such magnitude."
"You weren't alerted because you are too close to the prisoner," Fudge said. "The Wizengamot chose me to fill in for you."
"Nevertheless, the Chief Wizengamot must give his assent before any case can be heard. While they can choose you to fill in for me, they can't give you my powers. And they can't remove me from my position while another matter is at hand. Before I give my assent, I wish to know how and where he was captured."
"You have no right…" Fudge started to say.
"He does have a right, Cornelius," Madame Bones said before turning back to Dumbledore. "He was found trying to leave the country and cross over to Ireland."
Sighing, he said, "Very well, I give my assent. Carry on. I shall provide Mr. Potter's defence."
"Actually, while we can't kick you out of the room, we can restrict you to the public area. Mr. Potter will be provided with a Ministry defender is he wishes one."
"I think I'll take my own chances," he said as he tugged at the chains.
"Very well," Madame Bones said. "How do you plead?"
"Not guilty," he said. "I…"
"Not guilty? You were found at the scene of the crime with the dead muggle. You admitted to the Aurors that you killed him and the only reason you were not brought in then was because of certain people interfering."
"I believe that self defense is a good enough excuse," he said. "The man was trying to kill me. He had a knife and actually managed to cut me."
"Regardless of the fact that he had a knife, you killed a man," Fudge said. "We just can't let you walk the streets like nothing happened. What would the people think?"
"What…" Harry started to say before he stopped.
"Yes," Madame Bones asked. "You were saying?"
Thinking over what Fudge had just said gave him an idea. Dumbledore was the only one in the room that seemed to be on his side for the moment. But then again, he knows that I'm needed to kill Tom. If I killed Fudge, he'd probably still try and get me off. "You said that you can't let me walk the streets because you are afraid that I'll kill someone else?"
"Yes," Fudge said in irritation. "We can't have you killing everyone who throws a curse at you."
"What if I left the country and swore to never set foot on British soil ever again?" Harry asked. "You'd never have to deal with me again. Never have to worry about me stealing your office. You could remain safe in the knowledge that you are the Minister."
"You'd do that," Fudge said as he perked up. "You would leave and never come back?"
"Yes," Harry said. "But I get my wand and everything else that belongs to me."
"Deal," Fudge said as he tried to control himself. This was exactly what he'd been trying to do for the past few years. With him gone, he'd be safe. Dumbledore would no longer have a poster boy to stand behind.
"Minister," Madame Bones said. "Don't you think that we need to think about this for a minute? We…"
"No," he hastily said. "He has agreed to leave and who are we to stop him. Though we will not have him swear an oath. We'll have Weatherby draw up a contract. That way there'll be no way he can change the wording of it. Auror Tonks, get Mr. Potter's wand and belongings. He'll not be here much longer."
"But sir," she started to protest.
"Do it," he said as he started to turn red. "Do I need to remind you that you work for the Ministry?"
"Sorry sir," she said. "I'll get right on it."
xxx000xxx
"Mr. Potter, you are herby exiled from Britain," Fudge said as soon as Harry signed the contract. You have six hours to get your affairs in order before the contract takes effect. In six hours you will be magically transported out of the country, no matter the state of your affairs. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly," Harry said as he smiled.
"Auror Tonks, give Mr. Potter his stuff."
As she handed his wand to him, she leaned in and whispered, "You think you're going to get off this easy, Potter? You've got another thing coming. The other Aurors agree with me and we will find a way to make you pay for your crimes."
Smiling, he said, "What makes you think I haven't thought of this? You think I'm gonna walk out of here without a plan? Stick around and see my press conference. Five hours from now in front of Gringotts."
xxx000xxx
Gringotts
"Is Potter here yet," a reporter asked one of the goblin guards. "He said he was going to give a press conference."
"Gringotts affairs are strictly private," the guard snarled. "I can't answer your question."
Before the reporter could annoy the guard any more, the door opened and Harry walked out.
"What is you're here for," one asked.
"Is it true that you're leaving," cried another voice. "Where will you go?"
"Yes, it's true," Harry said as soon as they stopped talking. "I'm leaving and never setting foot here again."
"Is that all you have to say Potter," a voice growled from the side. "We could've told them that."
Looking over, Harry was pleased to see Mad-eye with the rest of the Aurors in the Order. "I came to tell you all something very important to you all. It no longer matters to me so I see no reason to keep it hidden."
"What is it," the report from the Daily Prophet yelled.
Smiling, he said, "I came to let you all know that you can handle Voldemort on your own. I'm no longer going to worry about what he does here and who he does it to. If I have any friends left here, I'm advising them to do the same as I am. Leave and never come back. If you wish, look me up. You'll more than likely be able to find me on a beach somewhere."
"Maybe Snape was right," Shacklebolt said. "Your arrogance knows no bounds."
"Arrogance?" he asked as he laughed. "It's the truth. Ask Dumbledore. He heard the prophecy stating that I was the only one able to kill Voldemort."
"What?" Tonks asked as she began to pale. The ramifications of her actions were starting to come together now.
"You hear that, Tom," Harry yelled. "You can have the lot of 'em."
"Wait," a witch cried as she grasped her daughter to her. "You can't leave us."
"See ya all later," he said as he waved. "Or maybe I won't be."
xxx000xxx
"Where are you going," Fudge demanded as he spotted Dumbledore walking away. "How are we going to get him back?"
"Get him back?" Dumbledore asked. "I believe that he is no longer allowed to set foot on British soil."
"Weatherby, find a way to reverse the contract. Do it now."
"Yes, sir," Percy said as he apparated away.
"What are we going to do," Fudge said as he looked around. "I'm finished."
"I don't know about you but I'm going to lock my school down," Dumbledore said. "As for Harry, I don't see where that is my concern anymore. Your foolish actions have stopped any chance of Harry saving us." With that Dumbledore apparated away.
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A/N: There will be another part to this one when I get around to it. I have lots of these little ideas that I'm gonna write one shots to.