As a junior minister in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, it was Cornelius Fudge's duty to sit with the witness – though in this case accused might be a better word – and prepare them to testify.
Pouring out two cups of tea, he asked the woman seated across from him. "Did you have any questions or concerns before we begin, Professor McGonagall?"
"No, no concerns. I've already been assured that the Veritaserum will have no ill effects on my baby, but I did have one question. I was wondering exactly what questions you will be asking?"
Uncertain what she meant, Cornelius went through the whole procedure. "After the entire Wizengamot is seated, I'll bring you into the chamber. Once the Veritaserum has been administered, you'll be asked to verify the validity of the memories you have submitted to the Wizengamot. Then you'll be asked to describe the events in your own words and answer a series of questions first by myself, and if they have any questions I haven't covered, by any members of the Wizengamot wishing to question you directly."
"Yes, but about the questions that you will be asking ... I was wondering how exactly you would be phrasing them?"
"Sorry?" Cornelius frowned. "I'm not quite following you."
"Well you see …" She looked around the room to be sure they were alone before continuing. "I haven't exactly been entirely truthful about some things."
Cornelius raised his teacup to hide his smirk before responding. "Let me guess. There wasn't really a kneazle?"
As he took a sip, she denied his words. "Oh but there was! That part was true!"
After a moments hesitation, she added. "It was the part about it being non consensual where I may have mislead people."
Cornelius choked trying to get his tea down.
As she rose to offer him a napkin for the tea dribbling down his robes, Cornelius eyed the woman before him in an entirely new light.
"I was hoping it would be possible to avoid going into too many details on the matter during my testimony."
Cornelius stared at her for a long moment before taking the offered napkin with one hand. With the other hand, Cornelius invited her to take the seat next to him by patting that chair's cushion.
As she settled into the chair beside him, Cornelius assured her. "I'm quite certain that we could work something out."
When Cornelius placed his hand on her thigh, he was fairly certain that she got what he was getting at. He was also fairly certain that he saw a flash of rage cross her face for the briefest of moments. But then it was gone and her hand was covering his – not trying to peel it off, but squeezing it encouragingly as, smiling at him, she spoke.
"Why Mr. Fudge! This is a most unexpected surprise. Most men would be put off by a woman in my position."
Cornelius smirked thinking of some of the positions into which he would like to get her. "Well, I have never been most men."
"- And children so do need a father."
"What?" With a jerk, Cornelius pulled his hand back from where she was directing it. "Madam! I assure you, you misunderstood my intentions!"
"Really? Did I? Do you think that your wife will think that I misunderstood your intentions if I should happen to mention what just happened while on the stand under Veritaserum? Because when I get nervous I have a tendency to just talk, talk, talk."
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Cornelius waited a moment for the potion to take full effect before beginning. "Professor McGongall, was the father of your children a kneazle?"
Because of the serum, Minerva responded immediately and unreservedly. "Yes."
Cornelius nodded. "No further questions. The witness may step down."
"What?" Figg questioned Fudge. "That's it?"
As a roar of disappointment and disapproval went through the crowd assembled, Cornelius berated them. "Might I remind those of you that came here hoping to hear all the salacious details that this is an official Ministry hearing and not a gossip rag!"
As one of the members of the Wizengamot started to object, Fudge stared him down. "Have you no sense of decency? Of compassion?"
As soon as Minerva took to her feet, Cornelius took her by the arm and guided her from the room.