Disclaimer: Albus Severus Potter. Enough said.

Future Harry Dupes the Minister Again

Fudge scowled as Harry Potter entered the courtroom with far more confidence than he should have had; and with good reason. Harry had been busy since the announcement of his impending hearing. He'd visited Hogwarts, and had checked both the library and RoR for any way that a student could be allowed to keep his magic and wand after being expelled. He found that as the only legitimate heir to an Ancient House (and a designated heir to a Most Ancient and Noble House whether he could or would actually inherit) he could not be stripped of anything that would prevent him from assuming his duties when he came of age. Not sure how accurate this was, Harry made copious notes, and questioned Dumbledore, Amelia Bones, and Sirius about it.

Later he had Tonks sneak him out to Diagon Alley, where he sent a high priority letter to several schools about his impending expulsion from Hogwarts due to the trumped up, falsified charges of a petty Minister who had it out for him. It had been a really good idea to send the letters to the Magical Embasies of the two countries, because the two schools had gotten back to him much faster than he expected. The replies from both the Tundrastrider Acadmey north of Toronto and the Illawara Preparatory School (1) near Wollongong in New South Wales had been the same. Not only were his grades not up to par, but it was far too late for him to transfer, as they would also have to arrange a visa and housing for him since he was underage. He'd been informed, however, that should he do well on his OWLs, they would take another look at accepting him at the end of next year.

His next letter to Beauxbatons met with much more favorable news. Rather than asking for a full transfer, instead he asked if it would be possible for him to transfer into Beauxbatons for a year so that he could take his OWLs should the outcome of his trial for underage magic pan out as he expected it to. Seeing that he was being tried like a criminal for underage magic- rather than facing a hearing like he should be- the Deputy Headmaster takes a look at his transcript (as well as questioning some of the students who'd gone to Hogwarts the previous year for the tournament).

While his overall grades were not very impressive, he seemed to do very well on tests, which showed that with the proper motivation, he could be a very good student. He agrees, but on the stipulation that he put effort into his studies. He also let him know that Beauxbatons needed an answer by the fifteenth of August, as all prospective new students were required by French law to attend an orientation that will familiarize the new students with the campus they will be living on ten months out of the year for the next several years. Orientation started on the 20th, was a week long, and they would need to arrange travel for him to attend, as well as a passport. Since he was also a British citizen, and would be living on campus, he would require a trip to the Ministry to apply for dual citizenship.

Oddly enough, all three schools insisted that he choose an elective other than Divination, as it was not offered as a course, rather training was available for those that truly possessed the gift. The only courses available for him to start at that time would be Runes and Arithmancy, and he would be starting with the third years, and should be ready for his OWLs by the time he finished school, at which point he would be allowed to return as a part time student to take NEWT courses.

Fudge pompously runs through the charges, and when he finally asks Harry to speak, Harry just shrugs.

"It really doesn't matter." Harry said, shocking everyone, most especially Dumbledore. "I may not be as smart as Hermione, but I am fairly observant. Given the attitudes of most of the people in power towards anyone not pureblood and the Ministry's position the past few months, I was certain that I wouldn't be getting a fair hearing or trial. Much as my best friend's faith in authority hoped that I'd be wrong, it appears that I was right.

Based on how you changed the time and location of this 'trial', and how surprised you were that I showed up, I'm thinking you were hoping to pass judgment without me ever having a chance to defend myself. That tells me that you've already decided that you're going to expel me, and you've probably had enough people bought off or threatened to get the decision that you want, so it really doesn't even matter whether or not I have a good defense. That's why I've been making contingency plans for my future."

Umbridge couldn't help interrupting him, the glee written all over her face. "But Mr. Potter, standard procedure for Muggleborns is sna-" Harry cut the simpering toad off right there.

"As the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, I'm assuming you have a thorough knowledge of the laws in place regarding students. This means that you should be aware that all expelled students- depending on the cause and severity of the issue- are allowed up to one year after expulsion to find alternative means of education, no matter what their supposed blood status. That you are already discussing snapping my wand, and binding my magic tells me that you both are wholly unqualified for you jobs, due to not even knowing the laws you're supposed to be upholding. It also paints you in a very suspicious light; your comments suggesting to me that this administration at least, has made a habit of ignoring the law, and jumping straight to snapping the wands, and binding the magic, of any Muggleborn that's been expelled."

Fudge wasn't taking that lightly. "Now see here-" But he would have to, as Harry wasn't finished.

"This is why I've made arrangements to finish my schooling regardless of whether it's at Hogwarts or elsewhere."

"Elsewhere?" Madam Bones asked, knowing full well what kind of political coup some other school snatching a national celebrity away from Hogwarts would be. The grumbled murmering around the hall suggested she wasn't the only one.

"Through a friend of mine that I met last year during the tournament, I've already talked to the Deputy Headmaster over at Beauxbatons, and have already been granted acceptance should I be expelled from Hogwarts." Harry said, deciding he wasn't going to reveal his full plans. "I would have preferred an English speaking school in the Commonwealth, but I wasn't sure if my communications to Tundrastrider Acadmey north of Toronto or Illawara Preparatory School near Wollongong in New South Wales would pan out in time. This is why it doesn't matter to me whether you expel me, or not. I would appreciate it, however, if you could make a decision with some haste."

"Is there a reason for the rush?" Madam Bones asked. While curious, she also had a feeling that she didn't want to know, but that they needed to.

"New students have to attend orientation from the 20th to the 27th to get acquainted with the chateau and the grounds. There are daily activities and tours for the students so that they know where they're supposed to be come the first day of classes." The schools in Toronto and Australia also had the same for parents so that they could see where their children would be learning. "Because I'm an out of country student, I would need to apply for a French passport and identification so that I won't have to worry about being constantly harrassed when I commute between my summer dwelling and school. Either that, or for dual citizenship so that I could maybe stay in France over the holidays; either way will require a lot of time and paperwork. All of this on top of arranging long term travel plans to make travelling to school easier for me."

Despite the disaster losing Harry Potter to Beauxbatons would be, Dumbledore couldn't help admiring Harry's planning. He also couldn't help thinking that Beauxbatons had a very swell idea. Having the students visit early to get acquainted with the school was a brilliant idea, and he couldn't help kicking himself for not thinking of it. It would certainly benefit the Muggleborn coming in, and if he were able to allow those students' parents a day during the summer to come visit the school their child would be attending, it would ease many of their minds.

"Is that your game?" Fudge accosted him. "Threaten us with leaving the country if we don't give into your demands?"

"Sir, I've made no demands, and for you to accuse me of such paints you as a grown man throwing a tantrum at not getting his way." Harry replied. "All I have done is simply informed you of my plans, and how a quick decision on your parts would allow me to expedite my plans if need be, or to inform Beauxbatons that I won't be attending in the Fall."

"Oh, then what's this threatening to go to another school, hmm?" Fudge snapped, trying and failing to turn the situation back onto Harry, and garner sympathy for his cause. "Hogwarts not good enough for you, then?"

More than one person stared at Fudge as if he'd lost his mind. Considering their current state of being, namely deciding if Harry's attendence at Hogwarts would be continued or aborted, Hogwarts not being good enough didn't even factor in. It was certainly becoming clear what this was to more than a few of the members in attendance. After all, Harry was incorrect in his assumption that Fudge had already bribed or threatened enough people to expel him (this part might be cut depending on whether someone would decide to expel him or not).

"I was just acknowledging that I needed to have other options in place for my education." Harry replied far more calmly than either Fudge or Umbridge felt he should be. "My best friend Hermione has always championed how important a good education was, and while I'm ashamed to admit that it's taken four years for her point to get through, the many adversities I've faced have certainly proven her correct. Besides that, past experience has shown me that people base their interactions with me on public opinion, and public opinion of me is usually swayed by the loudest voice expressing their opinion of me. Last year, it was Rita Skeeter and her tripe in the Prophet and Witch Weekly. With all of the things being said about me in the newspaper, your voice has been the loudest one expressing its opinion, and in that vein, the most successful in swaying public opinion of me. As a result of this, the likelihood that I'd need to find another school to finish my education was very high, so I acted accordingly. If I'm not expelled, then I'll be on the Hogwarts Express on the first of September, which I'd actually prefer since all of my friends are there. If I am expelled, I need to inform my new school that I will be needing to make further arrangements, and the sooner I can do that, the better."

"How dare you?" Fudge snapped.

"I'm sorry, but I'm confused." Harry said. "Wasn't my removal from Hogwarts and British Magical society the whole point of this trial? This shouldn't exactly be difficult if you're truly intent on getting rid of me."

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1. I chose to name the school based on a rugby team from Australia, and them because their mascot is a dragon.

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Not sure how this would end, but I'm guessing that despite Harry's sort-of ultimatum, Fudge's cronies and the people that Lucius Malfoy was able to buy off, would carry the day, and Harry would be expelled. Fudge/Umbridge would try and have Harry treated like normal Muggleborns, but Madam Bones or Dumbledore would remind them that what Harry said about students finding alternative education was true (further casting suspicion on Fudge for blaantly violating the law). All students (unless expelled for a serious offense) still had the option of finding another school within a year, before they could consider further action in regards to them.

Once Harry left the Ministry, he would send his letter to Beauxbatons. After telling his friends the news, he would jokingly ensure them that he would keep in touch, unless they wanted to transfer to Beauxbatons with him. I could see Hermione giving it some real thought, as Harry really is her best friend, and without him there, Hogwarts just wouldn't be the same. I also don't think she's secure enough in her friendship with Ron and others at this point to be sure that she wouldn't go back to being alone and friendless like before Hogwarts. I could see her deciding either way.

Inspiration

Heart and Soul by Sillimaure- Ch. 3; hell bent on expelling-led you to believe

Heart and Soul by Sillimaure- Ch. 4; first paragrapgh