The Hearing

The following morning, Mr. Weasley took me down to the Ministry.

He found the underground subways and escalators very interesting and it was amusing to watch him. We arrived at a red telephone booth which sank into the ground and then we came to the Ministry. It was like a beautiful underground city and it had a solid gold fountain with a witch, a wizard, a centaur and a house-elf, and money donated to St. Mungo's glittered in the water's depths.

We eventually arrived at the door of the courtroom.

"Remember, speak only when you're spoken to. Keep calm, you've done nothing wrong. And do not lose your temper," said Mr. Weasley. "I can't come with you, I'm afraid. Good luck, Helena."

"Thanks," I said, as I went in and sat down. I faced the entire court. Professor Dumbledore was one side of the room as was Cedric.

"We are here to attend to the matter of Disciplinary Hearing on August twelfth, charges against Helena Lily Potter for the illegal use of magic," said Fudge. "Miss Potter, did you or did you not perform a Patronus Charm in front of a Muggle?"

"Yes, sir."

"You produced a corporal Patronus?" asked Madame Bones.

I stared. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Did your Patronus take the form of smoke or a full-fledged animal?" she explained.

"It was silver doe, like my mother's, like it always has been, ma'am. Professor Lupin taught me in my third year."

"Remarkable, a Patronus at that age and taken on form of her mother's as well," said Madame Bones, thoughtfully.

"That is not the point!" said Fudge. "Miss Potter, were you aware that using magic while under the age of seventeen was illegal?"

"Yes, but—"

"And that the Muggle could see the Charm?"

"Yes, but I—"

"I've heard enough. This court has no choice but to pass judgment of—"

"I only did it because of the Dementors!" I shouted.

"Dementors?" said Madame Bones. "In Little Whinging?"

"Yes, there were two of them. They attacked me and my cousin. If I hadn't done something, we could've both been killed!"

"That's quite clever," said Fudge. "Muggles can't see Dementors, can they girl?"

"Well, I don't know. I—"

"Enough," said Fudge. "I'm sorry to interrupt what would've been a very well-rehearsed story, but since you can produce no witnesses of the event—"

"Actually, Cornelius, we do have a witness," said Professor Dumbledore, interrupting him. "Mr. Diggory, please step forward."

Cedric sat in the witness chair.

"You are Mr. Cedric Edward Diggory, resident of a home currently under the Fidilius Charm?" said Madame Bones.

"Yes, ma'am."

"And who is your Secret-Keeper?"

"Myself, ma'am."

"You were in Little Surrey and were witness to the incident?"

"Yes, ma'am, I was."

"You were a rather long way from home the night Miss Potter performed illegal magic. What were you doing in Little Whinging that night?" asked Madame Bones.

"When school let out, I told Helena if things became too much at her relatives, to write to me and I'd come take her away to my place. After a month, she took me up on my offer. I took a car up because Helena didn't have her Apparation License yet, and I was on my way there when the Dementors came. I didn't see them at first, but I knew they were there. You must understand, the summer's been hotter than usual. It'd been at least one hundred degrees that night, but then within seconds it was like a freezing winter's eve, even my butterbeer froze. I remembered really horrible things and I nearly lost it before I thought of something happy to keep me sane. That was when I got out of the car and I saw them."

"Can you describe the Dementors?" asked Madame Bones.

"Sure, easily. I saw them before, two years ago, when they were stationed at Hogwarts. I'd know them anywhere. The Dementors were gliding, huge, cloaked and reminded me of the Grim Reaper without the scythe. I didn't know how to perform a Patronus Charm yet, so I couldn't stop them. Instead, I ran after them."

"And why did you run after them if you couldn't perform a Patronus Charm to protect yourself?" asked Fudge.

"When they didn't attack me and I realized how close I was to Little Whinging I thought they were after Helena. I didn't care about myself, I wanted to protect Helena even if I didn't know how to perform the spell," said Cedric.

"That's quite admirable, Mr. Diggory. What happened then?" asked Madame Bones.

"I arrived just as they were attacking. Helena's cousin, Dudley, was on the ground scared to death and Helena was trying to save him and herself. Twice she tried to send out a Patrnous and failed, but then on her third attempt she managed to send out a silver doe Patronus which was powerful enough to send off both of the Dementors. That was when I made myself known and wiped Dudley's memory clean of the whole event. We took Dudley back to his parents and explained what we could and then Helena and I went to my place until we went to stay with some friends," said Cedric.

"And that's what you saw?" asked Fudge.

"That's what happened," he said, sternly.

"Mr. Diggory, I've been reading some rather interesting articles by Rita Skeeter as of late. Perhaps you'd like to confirm them. Did you or did you not also claim that You-Know-Who returned last June? Are you or are you not, in a close intimate relationship with Miss Potter?" asked Fudge.

"Helena and I have been close friends for five years and, with all due respect, Minister, even if we were closer, it's none of your concern and nor is it the point of this hearing," said Cedric, coldly. "Whatever your opinion of me may be, whatever I told the truth about last June, I have told you nothing but the truth tonight."

"Mr. Diggory is right," said Professor Dumbledore. "In fact, I find it rather curious that the Dementors were there in the first place."

"Come now, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "Dementors don't just wander into a Muggle Subarb and attack a witch, the odds are astronomical!"

"I don't think they were there by coincidence," said Professor Dumbledore.

"Excuse me, Professor, but…so silly of me, but it sounded as though you're accusing the Ministry of attacking this girl," said Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary of the Minister.

"I accuse no one. However, I believe the Ministry will be launching a full-scale inquiry as to why two Dementors were so far from Azkaban and why they attacked without proper authorization," said Professor Dumbledore. "However, there might be someone who could do such a thing. The evidence that the Dark Lord has return is incontrovertible. Cornelius, I implore you to see reason."

"He is not back!" Fudge barked.

"Well, then, may I remind you that the law clearly states that magic can be used in the presence of a Muggle in life-threatening situations."

"Laws can be changed if necessary, Dumbledore!" said Fudge.

"Clearly! And has it become practice to have a full-scale investigation for a simple matter of underage magic?" said Professor Dumbledore.

There was silence until Madame Bones said, "All those in favor of convicting the accused?" Fudge, Umbridge, and two others raised their hands. "Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?" This time nearly everyone raised their hands including Madame Bones.

Fudge sighed and looked severely disappointed. "Very well, cleared of all charges! Court dismissed!"

I rose up to thank Professor Dumbledore, but he wouldn't even look at me or respond when I called his name. I pulled out the thank-you note and handed it to Madame Bones. "Excuse me, could you give this to Professor Dumbledore for me?" I asked Madame Bones.

"Certainly, I can, Miss Potter. And by the way, congratulations," she said.

"Thank you," I said.

Cedric squeezed my hand as we walked out of the courtroom and rejoined Mr. Weasley, who was severely delighted at the news of my being let off the hook and shocked at the revelation that I'd been tried by the entire Wizengamot. I was just glad it was all over and I could return to Sirius's place before term began.