Being in Ministry custody, Hermione soon realised, meant a lot of waiting around. An hour passed, then another. She could at least spend the time waiting, speculating with her companion about what was going on outside the confines of the interview room. Talking helped with the boredom, pacing around the small space helped with the restlessness… and taking Harry's hands in hers, having him hug her whenever her nerves and fears got the better of her, that helped more than anything.
Hermione had to continuously pinch her leg. It felt like a fever dream. Like someone had slipped her some sort of potion to make her lose all her inhibitions. She couldn't argue away that they had kissed as a way to relieve their stress, not when it felt so natural and right. The strength of her feelings weren't symptoms of anxiety, forced out of her due to the intensity of the situation. She sat on one of the chairs facing the ominous two-way mirror having given up on pacing around the small space. Harry had taken over, his turn to be agitated as he moved around the confined space. He clutched his hands together behind his neck, appearing deep in thought as he walked aimlessly just to have something to do.
"This is a lot longer than usual," Harry eventually said, betraying nerves.
"They have a lot of students to question at the school, Harry."
He turned sharply on his heel, his back to the mirror, facing her. She could see how exhausted he was. Of course, she couldn't blame him for being mentally drained. The stress of being incarcerated would have been weighing on him, presenting him not just with the threat of being sentenced in a courtroom but of being completely at the mercy of his handlers. His life was in danger and they knew that his enemies were at large in the Ministry. Harry kept his fear contained at all times, the effort of which had to be taking its toll.
"I gave a list of DA members who would be more willing to testify than most. There were seven names… it doesn't take this long to question seven people." He pointed out.
"The Aurors aren't just there to ask questions about the DA." She said softly, then lifted her left hand up, giving him a meaningful look. "We know a lot more students than just us were in detention with her. They are going to have to talk to all the students… and the professors too. It's a really serious crime to cause grievous harm on a minor and there are likely multiple counts.
Harry looked at her thoughtfully. "If they find evidence that Umbridge really hasn't been teaching a single Defensive spell, it does back up our motives for forming the DA."
She nodded. "I'm telling you, Harry, if this is picked up by The Daily Prophet… Fudge is looking at seriously losing his majority of support. Posting Umbridge at the school endangered magical children… he's going to cause an uproar that he won't be able to recover from. It'll appear as if he's been holding the school hostage to control the public. It's… well… something Voldemort would do."
Harry's hands dropped from his neck and then approached her, hand resting on the back of the seat next to her. He met her gaze.
"There's something else too. This whole thing doesn't just involve Hogwarts." He dragged the chair out and sat down opposite her. He swung his legs around so he was facing her head on. He lowered his voice. She couldn't help but feel a little exhilarated by his focused, intense demeanour. His attitude was a far cry from the volatile hurricane of hormones he'd been over the past few months. The seriousness of the situation had forced him to keep a hold of his temper.
"There's a file on me. A very classified folder that the Ministry keeps on me because I'm a 'person of interest'. I'm guessing that they viewed me as worth keeping tabs on when I survived Voldemort's attack on my family." His voice was low and steady. Hermione listened closely, eyes widening as Harry bluntly brought up his tragic past. "Only three people in the Ministry have the clearance to access it." He held up three fingers." The Minister, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." He dropped a finger when he listed each. "Hermione, this folder… it's supposed to contain everything the Ministry has on me. Reports on the mental things I've done at Hogwarts and outside it. There's stuff on the hovering charm that I got accused of and obviously the Underaged magic breach in July. But nothing else. There's nothing on what happened last year and nothing on the year before that-."
"H-how can there be nothing ?" She asked over him, horrified with what he was saying. "You were nearly Kissed by all those dementors when…" She carefully held her tongue, aware that they were being watched. "There should be some report of you being involved! And what about your name being put in the Goblet of Fire? Someone was very obviously trying to get you killed."
"There's nothing at all, Hermione." He brought his hands up to his face. "And what's worse… is that they really did report that Cedric's death was an accident. The whole thing was chalked up to the Triwizard Tournament being too dangerous and that Barty Crouch Junior was a nutjob. Everything he said under veritaserum to Dumbledore and then Fudge… there's no record. There's no record of an illegal portkey taking me and Cedric off the grounds. As far as the Ministry is concerned, none of what transpired during the Third Task ever took place."
Hermione stared at him. "But there were hundreds of witnesses! You just appeared in the grounds holding what was very clearly a Portkey… and a body."
"And Fudge was there representing the Ministry, Hermione. He was the one in charge and Bagman had done a runner, so there were no other Heads of Departments around. He made the call to bring in Magical Accidents and Catastrophes on the scene, not the Auror Office."
Her hands balled into fists as she realised what he was saying. "Every time the truth is covered up, he's been involved."
Harry nodded, anger burning in his green eyes. "Exactly. He has stepped in every time to make things seem less threatening. He's been purposefully trying to hide anything that could threaten his whole 'all is well' image. Who knows what else he's been covering up? We're just talking about things I'm involved in."
His quick mind set off sparks of pride in Hermione as he shared with her his findings.
"This… this is…" She couldn't think of what to say. "This is a real conspiracy." Harry's chin immediately dipped in response.
"Hermione… what if Fudge knew I'd grow up to be a threat to him? What if he's been redacting my record on purpose, preparing to out me the moment I turned against him?"
She listened with growing horror.
"The whole bumbling, jolly, friendly old chum attitude he had when I first met him after I ran away from the Dursleys? It was all a cover to make me think he had my best interests at heart. But he never did." He leaned forwards, his stare intensifying. "Hermione, when I did a runner from Privet Drive after I blew up Marge, he had the Magical Reversal Squad on the scene at once. They tracked me down in heartbeat, getting to The Leaky Cauldron before I even did. Where was that level of response when I was actually in danger? When dementors showed up for Merlin's sake? I don't want to sound paranoid, but… it does seem to me that my safety really isn't a concern for him. At the time, I was merrily ignorant of the danger I was in and he wanted to keep it that way."
Hermione's fingernails dug into her face as he spoke.
"Oh my God, you're right. He was quick to turn against you… too quick. The moment you were threatening his vision of peace and prosperity, he outwardly showed that he cared very little about you. He didn't even stop to contemplate that you were in your sound mind, just immediately asked Dumbledore if he trusted that your wits weren't addled. Anyone with eyes could have seen that you were, sorry for being blunt here, traumatised."
Harry wasn't phased at her assessment. He nodded, agreeing. "At the time, I was suffering from Cruciatus curse exposure as well. Something that also never got reported. I was the target of all three Unforgivable Curses that night. Not a single one got picked up... well, only two hit home, obviously, but even so. I had a lot of Dark magic thrown my way. Surely something would have been detected?"
Her heart plummeted and the room felt as if it had dropped several degrees.
"There were witnesses too. We were all there when he showed you not a hint of sympathy or remorse. He didn't even speak to you - just gave you your winnings and left. Oh… oh my God… the signs were always there right in front of us. Harry…" She looked up at him. "What if the dementors that attacked you last summer were there on his orders? He has been doing a lot to silence you behind the scenes. Perhaps it was his attempt to make it permanent."
Harry grimly nodded. "I've come to the same conclusion myself. I've escaped Voldemort four times now. If he is going to try to assassinate me, he isn't going to pass the job off onto some dementors."
Hermione sat back against her chair, her mind racing with what Harry was saying. The implications that the Minister had been conspiring against Harry, a boy , were monstrous, but she couldn't deny that his theories made perfect sense. It all married up with the severity of Umbridge's tenacity when it came to punishment. If Fudge had no reservations about condemning and targeting a boy who had already lost so much, he wasn't likely to care much about some bleeding hands and bleeding hearts.
A loud clatter at the door snapped their attention from each other. Harry's reaction was a lot faster. He was on his feet in a blink, turning to face the door and moved to stand in front of her. Shielding her. Harry's entire body was wired and tense, ready to fight even without a wand. Hermione was a moment behind him, using the mirror to see who had arrived. She didn't recognise the woman at first, but from Harry's visible relief when he saw who it was, she guessed that she was about to meet the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in person.
Hermione took in her appearance. She was a severe-looking woman, stocky and with short grey hair. A monocle was fixed in her right eye and she wondered if it served a purpose similar to Moody's magical eye. Was it charmed to look through enchantments? She swept inside, wearing handsome robes of deep green that denoted her position of importance within the Ministry.
"Harry… and Miss Granger, we meet in person." The woman approached them at once, no hesitation and all business. She nodded at Harry as she passed and he sunk down back to his seat, respectful. For Harry of all people to show respect, it meant that she'd earned his. She came up to Hermione and extended a hand her way. She took the offered hand.
"I am Madame Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You have set off quite the chain reaction of events, Miss Granger." She then let go of her hand and turned to Harry. "Everything has fallen into motion."
Harry's head snapped up, eyes wide. "Have… you arrested her?"
Hermione dropped into her seat, her legs giving out. A shocked, choke of a laugh escaped her lips and her fingers flew to them to keep the sound from escaping. Harry looked over at her, his eyes wide.
"Not yet. She is here under the guise that we need her statement recorded to use in evidence against you. Rufus has her in his office at the moment." Amelia paced away, moving towards the two-way mirror. She then drew a wand out from her sleeve. Reaching the mirror swept her wand, tracing the outline of the window. The panel then thrummed to life, a soft glow emanating around the edge of the frame. Then suddenly the surface shifted, the image reflecting back at them changing to show them a perspective of an identical room
"When he is finished, he will be bringing her to the adjoining interview room where she believes that I will review her statement against the evidence we have gathered. She will be led to believe that you will be brought in to answer questions about her statement. You, Harry, are the bait, I'm afraid, for us to spring the trap."
Hermione glanced over at Harry, seeing that he was frowning. He then looked over to Hermione, meeting her gaze.
"Do you need me in there to… sell the ruse?"
"No, I am not risking moving you from this room, not even for a few feet." She then looked over them both. "Are either of you in need of comfort spells?"
Hermione's face flushed at once.
"Um… we have been in here for a few hours," Harry said in a thin voice, his answer a concealed 'yes'. Madame Bones appeared regretful as she approached them with her wand raised.
"I will arrange for refreshments as well."
With a sweep of her wand, Hermione gasped as she felt a sudden grip on her insides. Harry's gasp next to her told her that he was feeling the same sensation. As suddenly as it came on, it was then gone and with it, the contents of her bladder and bowels. Her hands went on her stomach, feeling very strange and uncomfortable.
"I strongly suspect that you will both find what happens in that room very satisfying after all that you have both gone through at that woman's hands. Rest assured, I will not be going easy on her." Amelia's jaw set and she lifted her chin. "I will not be going easy on either of them."
With that promise, she left them once again alone in the interview room. Hermione rose from her seat at once and picked it up.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked. She grinned over her shoulder at him.
"If we're going to witness Umbridge's downfall," she went to carry her chair over to the window, "I want a better view."
She set her chair down right in front of the window. Straightening, she caught Harry's movement as he went to copy her. As he joined her at the window, settling his chair down, she reached out for him. Her hand ended up moving to the back of his neck, finding soft, warm skin thrumming with life. Harry's eyes met hers.
His eyes then sharpened with intent and he stepped up to her, his body pressing against hers. He was inside her bubble and he was welcome there. He stared into her eyes for a moment, almost as if asking a question, then he kissed her lightly on the mouth.
He drew back and stared at her. He then smiled.
"Then let's sit back and watch the show."
Everything Amelia Bones needed to bring down Dolores Umbridge was assembled in front of her. The green folder set in pride of place in front of her held the testimonies that her Aurors had so diligently gathered from Hogwarts. There were hundreds of them, too many for her to go over. The important ones had been moved to the top of the pile, ones that had come from the names that Harry had given her. Her niece was among them.
Gawain Robards delivered her the testimonies and also the evidence discovered during the search of Umbridge's office. The evidence was secured in a locked case that she'd set aside for the moment. She had read the list of the articles within and knew that Robards had found more than enough for her to sink Umbridge faster than a ton weight dropped in the ocean. A plan of action was forming as she gathered the pieces. Her interview tactics were a little rusty as it had been a few years since she had interrogated a suspect herself. When she had worked in the Auror Office along with her brother, she had been the one put in front of suspects as she had a knack for finding pressure points. She knew how to trick a suspect into condemning themselves, how to find the holes in an supposed alibi, and how to dissect a lie and expose its weaknesses.
The final touches would be what she would use to bring down Fudge and the house of cards he had built around himself. A scribe board, set up with a dictation quill and lots of parchment. It would record the whole interview which she would use as her basis for a vote of no confidence.
Now all she had to do was wait. Wait for Rufus to bring in the woman who would be smiling smugly, confident that she had delivered a testimony that would send an innocent young man either to prison or to a secure ward in St Mungo's. Either way, she would believe that she had effectively silenced Harry Potter for good.
She'll let her believe that for a little longer.
Hearing the change in the processing room, Amelia lifted her head at the sound of approaching footsteps. She allowed herself one glance over to the mirror where she knew both Harry and Hermione would be watching. Then brought herself into complete focus, the plan laid out before her. First, she would have to dismantle Umbridge's claim of a conspiracy and Hogwarts, then the rest would follow.
A sharp tap at the door announced their arrival. The door swung open from where it was previously ajar. Amelia rose at once. Her gaze did not linger on Rufus's face, keeping up the ruse that there was nothing for Umbridge to be suspicious about. Instead, she gave the woman she was about to destroy a polite smile and crossed the short distance towards her. Ignoring the swoop of intense hatred, she went to greet her.
"Dolores," she said as if they were just bumping into each other in the Ministry corridor, "I appreciate the time you are taking to assist us with our investigations."
Amelia kept her demeanour professional and unafflicted as she regarded the woman before her. Stabs of loathing made it a challenge, but she was a master at keeping her stony mask in check at all times. She impassively took in the self-satisfied expression on Umbridge's face, the hungry glint in her eyes and the nasty smile that appeared to be stamped on her face as if victory was assured. The hunger, she noticed, intensified when Umbridge noticed the folders and case of evidence prepared on the table in front of her.
"I assure you, Amelia, I will do all I can to help. Dumbledore's corruption goes deep and I I see it as my duty to help weed it out where I can." Umbridge's smile broadened, her lip pulling back in a very unfaltering smile that was more like a snarl. "The sooner Potter's lies are contained, the better."
Amelia inclined her head, feeling a vicious thrill at how deeply Umbridge was entrenched in her beliefs, if she even truly believed them. It was going to make dismantling them all the more satisfying.
"Please, take a seat and I will begin reviewing the evidence with you." Amelia said, gesturing at the seat opposite her. She then moved to Rufus, holding out a hand. He at once placed the scroll that contained the testimony that he had extracted from the woman. He met her stare briefly and Amelia's caught the hardened edge to his gaze, his feelings seeping out of his mask of professionalism.
"Thank you, Rufus," she said, dismissing him.
"Ma'am." He left and noticeably didn't look or say anything to Umbridge as he left. Amelia left him to it, keeping the ruse alive as he went to leave and lock them both in. The moment he shut the door, Umbridge was officially in her custody. The arrest warrant was ready in her inner robe pocket.
Amelia busied herself with opening the scroll Rufus presented her while Umbridge took her seat, flicking her robes out as if airs and graces were necessary.
"While I appreciate how seriously your department is handling matters, I must say your timing with dispatching Aurors to Hogwarts was unfortunate. Had they arrived earlier, they could have intercepted whom I believe to be a part of Dumbledore's cabal." Umbridge said sweetly from her seat, watching Amelia as she neared, now reading the scroll, her monocled eye zipping fast as she scanned the contents.
"Indeed? And who do you suspect as a conspirator?" Amelia asked as she reached her chair. Her gaze shot towards Umbridge, expecting an answer.
"Augusta Longbottom," Umbridge's tone dropped its sweetness.
Amelia frowned a little as she sat opposite Umbridge. She heard the clunk of the door as the locks engaged. Umbridge was all hers now.
She raised an eyebrow at Umbridge. "If the grounds for your suspicions are due to the Governors stepping in and doing their job, you forget that their purpose is to inspect the standards at the school. They have that authority and have for hundreds of years. It is not a conspiracy for them to take their role seriously."
She didn't wait for a response and went back down to reading the statement. It was just as slanderous as she was expecting. It didn't take her long to read enough and she set the parchment aside. She found a red-faced Umbridge waiting for her, stung by her response towards her attempts to accuse anyone else of being a part of her fabricated conspiracy.
Although, she was right in some ways. Madame Longbottom had been tipped off, only not by Dumbledore - by Amelia herself.
"Commencing interview," Amelia announced, triggering her dictation quill. It jerked up to attention on the board, nip balanced on the parchment. "Interviewer: Amelia Bones, Head of The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Interviewee: Dolores Umbridge, Hogwarts High Inquisitor and Senior Undersecretary to the Minister For Magic."
Umbridge's nostrils gave a little flare, something rankling her. Amelia assumed it was the sting of the position of Headmistress that had been revoked on order of the Board of Governors.
"I will begin with reviewing the evidence about an illegal organisation of Hogwarts students that Madame Umbridge exposed following her own investigations into the group." Without further ado, she reached for the purple file in front of her. Umbridge's eyes gleamed with interest as she saw what she held in her hands. Harry Potter's classified file.
She opened the folder, all too aware of Umbridge's spying eyes as she eagerly tried to see what secrets they uncovered. She thumbed through the tabs where she had labelled and annotated the documents within. She took out the insert file that she put together. With a snap, she closed the main folder and pushed it aside, seeing the hint of disappointment on Umbridge's face.
She drew out the members list of 'Dumbledore's Army' and set it to one side then the official notes drawn from Harry's first interrogation when he took full responsibility for the group.
"Before you organised raiding the unapproved gathering on the school grounds, the evidence that you gathered all suggested that Potter was the main culprit, correct?" Amelia pushed the list towards Umbridge. She checked what was being shown to her, then looked up.
"My sources informed me that Potter was the leader which was when I knew what we were dealing with. He has been in open revolt since the start of term, but posed no threat as just one voice amid many. I had to intervene when I learned he had enlisted other students to his agenda."
"I understand that it was your duty to intervene, but what I am saying is that neither source named Dumbledore as the instigator. Even Miss Edgecombe, who had been attending these meetings since the beginning, did not mention the true purpose of the group. Do you not find that odd, Dolores?"
Umbridge gave her a long look before answering. "It matters not. Dumbledore confessed to it when we brought Potter to face the consequences for his actions."
"He did so when he saw what Potter and his accomplices called themselves," Amelia pointed out. "I have read the full transcript and have Potter's own account of events." Umbridge's top lip drew back.
"Potter's account of anything would be riddled with lies and deceit."
Amelia lifted a finger warningly. "I would tread more carefully with your claims about the suspect's honesty when you do not even know what he has said on the matter. You are only showing me that you have already made your hypothesis based on your opinion, not on the evidence."
Umbridge scowled but said nothing in response.
"My point, Dolores, is that Dumbledore only took the blame for the group when he saw the list. When we questioned Potter on this, he informed us that the reason was that Dumbledore was trying to protect him from being expelled. Considering the evidence, and the lack of any mention that Dumbledroe was behind this group, I am inclined to believe Potter's account. I believe that he was the main culprit and that the name is just a name."
"You believe that Dumbledore would risk arrest and losing his position over a single boy?" Umbridge scoffed.
"Not just any boy," Amelia pointed out. "Harry Potter, whether you believe him or not, is a target for very dangerous individuals currently at large. If he is expelled, he would be entirely at the mercy of Sirius Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Augustus Rookwook…" Amelia counted them off her fingers. "Need I go on, Dolores?"
Judging from the guarded, defiant look she received, she assumed not.
"You face a very real possibility that snapping Potter's wand will be a death sentence for the boy. It is high time that you and Cornelius take this seriously. The boy's parents were targets of You-know-who himself. Do you not think that his supporters would want to finish what he started? Or take revenge on the boy? But I digress."
Amelia knew she had made her point. She reached for the green file where Gawain Robards had organised the student testimonies for her.
"As part of our investigation into the organisation, we have taken it upon ourselves to question the other members of the apparent student militia. I have their statements here." Amelia dropped the file on the table with a thud, one that made Umbridge jump. "You will be surprised to read that each one of the school children who signed up to the group did so not out of direct opposition of the Ministry. As you know from your inside source who witnessed the initial meeting, they had agreed to join so that Potter could teach them defensive magic."
Umbridge wore a very ugly smile. "Defensive magic that is unapproved and unsanctioned for a reason. It is unsafe and dangerous for children to practise unsupervised such dangerous magic. Potter put each and every one of those students in harm's way and, yes, that also includes your niece, Amelia." She twisted her smile into a look of regret, sighing. "They naively assumed that they would be learning instructive magic, not knowing that they were unwillingly being recruited and manipulated into Potter's schemes."
Amelia studied her for a moment.
"Do you have any evidence to support that Potter was endangering the students?"
Umbridge gave a sad nod. "I do not need evidence. Potter is not a qualified wizard and he was not instructing in a safe environment."
"So you agree that the purposes of these meetings were for Potter to instruct? He was teaching?"
Umbridge betrayed a hint of hesitation before putting on her ugly smile again. "Oh, well of course, that was the cover he was giving-."
"Ah, but you believe that he was secretly training them to act as his foot-soldiers?" Amelia said over her before Umbridge could reinforce her theory once more. She then flicked open the file with the DA members' testimonies. She flicked past the names of the students she knew were closest to Harry and so Umbridge would have a ready made excuse to discount their testimony as lies out of loyalty to their friend. She inwardly smiled at her own niece's statement before selecting one in particular.
"For the record, I am presenting Madame Umbridge with-," she quickly checked the label on the corner of the sheet, "Article H-A, sub-item 12. This is a transcript of the statement taken from Ernest Macmillan, a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, Hufflepuff prefect."
She carefully handed the sheet over to Umbridge, whose eyes narrowed at the name, her protest towards the validity of the statement was frozen on her lips. The Macmillan family were firm supporters of Fudge and had been for years,
"Mr Macmillan provides a very detailed account of all the spells and lessons that Potter ran in secret. You will of course know, Dolores, being the Defence professor yourself, that each of these spells are on the Hogwarts curriculum. The only spell that is highly advanced for a study group of their average ages is the Patronus Charm. I fail to see how a group of under a dozen students could seriously pose as a threat to the Ministry with this repertoire of defensive magic."
She watched as Dolores read the statement, her face turning very sudden shocking pink. While the woman was distracted, she then reached for Harry's folder, reaching for the notes of his first interview.
"When we questioned Potter on the group and the purposes, he said this, and I quote-," Umbridge's eyes darted up at once, sharp and angry, "'Since October, when we started, I've taught how to shield, stun, summon, repel. I taught basic duelling stances, how to move in combat… how to dodge.'" Amelia raised her head, peering through her monocle. "You will note, in Mr Macmillan's statement, that he confirms this."
Umbridge dropped the offending statement from her fingers, her nostrils flaring.
"And you will also note that Mr Macmillan admits that he had no prior knowledge of the spells Potter taught and it is only under his instruction that he is able to master them."
Umbridge bared her teeth then as her smile turned almost-snarl like.
"It is no secret that the subject's instruction has been disrupted with a new professor taking the position every year."
"A matter that your appointment was meant to resolve - at least, that was my understanding," Amelia was quick to add. Umbridge's eyes flashed then.
"I was under the impression, Amelia, that it is Potter who is under scrutiny, not what goes on in my classroom." Her voice turned dangerously sweet. "What relevance can this possibly have in this case? I daresay, your criticisms are most unprofessional."
Amelia simply stared back at her, privately amused that Umbridge would call her unprofessional. The woman's hypocrisy was just burying her.
"What goes on in your classroom has absolute importance on this investigation, Dolores, because I am well aware that you have not been teaching your students practical magic since the beginning of your appointment. Under your educational reforms, all practical use of defensive spells are limited to the practical examinations at the end of the year."
Amelia calmly looked away from Umbridge as she bristled at her words. She gazed back down to Harry's recorded transcript.
"Reading again from Potter's interview, he asked Rufus this. ' As an Auror, do you think that it's right that underage students are purposefully being kept from learning how to defend themselves?'"
Studying Umbridge over her monocle, Amelia gave Umbridge a very direct look.
"I can tell you that as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcements, an ex-Auror myself, I do not think it is right in the slightest that underage students are incapable of defending themselves to a very basic degree."
"We are doing what is right in the students' best interest!" Umbridge then exclaimed, unable to contain her indignation.
"Are you saying that preventing the students from learning magic that could save their lives is protecting them?" Amelia then snapped back, her tone losing the calm composure. "The reason why these students chose to learn magic in an unsupervised environment with Potter as their instructor was because they felt that you do not have their best interests at heart. And from what I see - I wholeheartedly agree with them."
Umbridge then burst onto her feet, slamming her hands on the table.
"How dare you! Criticising me is a criticism of the Minister."
"Oh, I am aware," Amelia said, then pointed down at the seat. "Which is why I suggest you consider the situation you find yourself in very carefully, Dolores."
Amelia then hovered her hand over the chest next to her.
"I'm yet to show you what other evidence I have and, allow me to be very clear, this is a Magical Law Enforcement investigation. If I uncover evidence that implicates the Minister, then I will implicate him. No wizard is above the law. Not Albus Dumbledore and not Cornelius Fudge. This isn't about petty politics between two powerful figures. This is about the safety and well-being of the future generation of witches and wizards who are in your care."
Amelia's eyes hardened as she considered the file containing the testimonies of the DA that was still open between them
"One of which, which you reminded me earlier, is my own niece."
When at long last, a flicker of fear entered Umbridge's eyes, Amelia knew she had her. She contained her fear, eyes darting over to the door then to the mirror. All of a sudden, she realised that she wasn't the one in control of the situation. Uncertainty had her stalling as she hovered above her seat, employing some quick thinking, her gaze then analysing the folders on the table, before settling on the chest. The flicker of fear returned and she met Amelia's gaze.
"Potter has not been idle if he has managed to invent a story convincing enough for you to bring me into question. Whatever story his sickness has invented, it is not what it seems."
Umbridge then sat down, her demeanour a lot more pensive in comparison to her earlier outburst.
"I will not deny… the boy has quite the talent. It is indeed impressive that he convinced Albus Dumbledore and so many others to believe his innocence. Now he has convinced you… but I assure you, Harry Potter is no victim. He is dangerous. "
Aware that the topic of the DA and Umbridge's status as a less than competent teacher was exhausted for the moment, Amelia decided to humour Umbridge's insistence on changing the subject. If she wished to target Harry, then she would fall deeper into the trap.
"How precisely is he dangerous?" Amelia asked.
Umbridge's nasty smile spread. "He is spreading lies. Dangerous lies that threaten the stability of our society and threaten to bring about a public panic."
"What lies are these?" Amelia asked, making a show of opening Harry's transcripts, searching for the evidence of his apparent falsehoods.
"His claim that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned," Umbridge spat as if it carried a vile taste. Amelia raised her eyebrow and continued to scan through the transcripts. Once flicked through, she filed them away, putting the insert back into his main folder.
"I see. And any other lies?"
Umbridge's lip curled. "I shared with Rufus some of the, frankly, disturbing claims Potter has made in my classroom and around the school." She waved a hand towards the statement Amelia read before starting the interview. "He claims that Cedric Diggory was murdered and that he was a witness to it. There was no murder - only a tragic accident."
"Hmm." Amelia stared at Umbridge intently. "A fact that we know because we followed due process and carried out a full investigation into the poor boy's death."
There again was the flicker of fear. Umbridge's composure faltered and she glanced over at the door again.
"So therefore we have ample evidence to support that Mr Diggory's death was a tragic accident so we have everything we need to catch Potter in his lie, correct?"
The fact that Umbridge had nothing to say was damning enough. It was the proof that Amelia was waiting for, a sign of guilt, that she had caught them at their game. Hiding the truth, cutting corners so they were all left ignorant of the dark crimes that had been left unresolved.
"As for Mr Potter's account of what happened that night. There is also evidence to prove that his witness statement is total fabrication, yes? For you to be so resolute in your convictions that he is lying… my… you must have quite the concrete evidence to prove he is wrong."
The nasty smile was back and she gave a trill of a laugh.
"What other evidence do we need? All he and Dumbledore have are his accounts. The only witness to the impossible. Surely… Amelia… you cannot possibly believe that a wizard who has been confirmed dead for thirteen years orchestrated a kidnapping plot from beyond the grave so that his minions could resurrect him using the boy's blood? It is the invention of a very sick mind and Dumbledore is using this to supplant Cornelius!"
Amelia glanced over to the dictation board, checking that it had recovered everything Umbridge just said. She'd confirmed that she knew the full details of what Harry had recounted during the interview with Rita Skeeter… if that was even the source.
She then opened Harry's folder once again. Letting out a breath through her nose, Amelia reached for the medical report.
"You're a smart woman, Dolores. You must know that accusations without evidence are empty. You tell me that what Potter claims is impossible, then I ask you - would you have believed it twenty years ago if you were told that a baby could survive Lord Voldemort's Killing Curse and destroy him in the process?"
Umbridge, of course, flinched at the name.
"You are so quick to denounce anything Potter says… and, frankly, it is tiresome. So, I will put an end to this charade." She pulled out the results of the scan including the Healer's notes. "For the record, I am presenting Article 5 - subitems 1-3. The results of a medical and magical diagnostic scan of one Harry James Potter."
She turned the document around and placed it down in front of Umbridge. The other woman looked down at the document, her face noticeably slack.
"Two days ago, I had our consultant from St Mungo's carry out a very legal diagnostic scan. While in our custody, Potter's health is my responsibility so it was well within my rights to order a scan. What you see before you are the results. Some of Potter's medical history was redacted as his insistence, however you will see in the notes that the healer who carried out the scan was witness to the full results and has signed a waiver to confirm the redacted evidence has no bearing in our investigation."
Satisfaction began to thrum inside Amelia, especially when she saw the hesitation when Umbridge pulled the document towards her.
"I wish to bring attention to the injuries listed on 24th June 1995." Amelia leaned forwards so she could read the record upside down. She reached forward, stabbing her finger down on the list in question, glossing over for the moment the extensive list that documented Umbridge's abuse towards Harry.
"I would like your opinion, Madame Umbridge, on how you believe Harry Potter ended up with Cruciatus Curse exposure and Imperius Curse exposure during the same night that Cedric Diggory lost his life because of a tragic accident."
Amelia then reached inside her robe, her fingers curling over the scroll that she had prepared. She drew it out next and rested it on top of the chest. When she lifted her head, she risked a small smirk at the trembling in Umbridge's lip. Her eyes were darting as she absorbed the damning evidence of her attempt to silence Harry Potter as each and every 'cursed laceration' that mounted up.
"If you would next bring your attention to the Healer's report about the curse… you will see that her hypothesis indicates that the wizard who cursed Potter was an adept at the Dark Arts, thus eliminating any of the other Triwizard champions as culprits. We also know that Barty Crouch Junior was not within the vicinity to curse Potter."
A small sound escaped Umbridge as she turned the next page to where Healer Travers had reported Harry's extensive torture with a blood quill.
"Due to the undeniable evidence that Potter was a victim of two Unforgivable Curses, I have opened an investigation into the events that transpired that night as they are not the purview of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. So far our investigation has uncovered some glaring errors in the official report. Not only was the report not signed and not completed, it also revealed that no member of the Department had boots on the floor during the investigation."
Amelia left Umbridge soaking in her fear for a moment longer.
"We have open 'Missing Persons' reports that haven't been closed. Bertha Jorkins and Barty Crouch Senior were never found." She continued. "Alastor Moody's abduction and impersonation by Barty Crouch Junior was also never officially reported and investigated. And then there is the matter of Barty Crouch Junior - a wizard who had been believed dead for a great many years and as such he managed to accomplish much as a dead man. A pity we cannot learn precisely what he got up to and question him on his involvement. A number of these cases would have been closed if my Department had questioned him."
Her hands rested on the arrest warrant in front of her. Umbridge finished reading the medical report, her face ashen, as she looked up at Amelia.
"The prime suspect fell victim to a Dementor's Kiss… and it is very suspicious that the prime witness very nearly suffered the same fate, do you not agree, Dolores? You were there during Potter's Hearing. You know he was attacked, unprovoked, in the middle of a muggle town by dementors as well."
"Dementors who were acting outside the Ministry's approval," Umbridge spoke for the first time in a while.
"Quite." Amelia offered a small smile in return. "Outside the Ministry's official approval. Yet another act of incompetence to add to the staggering list. Either the lack of any accountability is down to a very poorly run operation or this… is the work of a greater conspiracy - of persons within the Ministry trying very hard to stop inquisitive eyes looking too closely. You hold in your hands the evidence of the worst transgression these people have committed. Someone has been working on what the dementors in Little Whinging failed to do. Someone has been silencing Harry Potter… with torture."
Amelia then stood up, causing Umbridge to flinch violently. She turned in the direction of the door and raised a hand. The locks clicked open, the door swinging out to admit Kingsley, whose red robes swished as he entered. Umbridge's eyes widened and the fear no longer hid behind her vile smiles and titters.
"The Aurors dispatched to Hogwarts were not there to investigate Dumbledore and Potter. Under my authority, they carried out a search of the castle - including your office."
With this announcement, Amelia unsealed the arrest warrant in her hands and opened it slowly. She peered over it, her eyes hard and unforgiving as she then glared at Umbridge, dropping her professional, stern yet unmoved facade.
"I extend to you one chance, as a respected figure within the Ministry, to come quietly and face the charges we have against you-."
"W-what charges?" Umbridge was on her feet once again, her chair scraping loudly behind her as she took a scared step back. She then jabbed a shaky finger down at the medical report. "You cannot seriously… believe this boy over me? He is framing me! I have no idea where he possessed an object of such a nature but-"
" Enough. " Amelia didn't raise her voice, but the effect was just as profound if she had. "You and Cornelius may believe that words alone warrant a conviction, but in my department, we use evidence. " Her brows furrowed angrily as she stared at Umbridge. "I am well aware that relying on a single witness whom you have so colourfully painted as a liar would not be enough. Do you believe me and my department fools?"
She gave Kingsley a nod and he approached, taking his inhibitors from his belt. Umbridge's eyes bulged.
"Cornelius will not stand for this!" She then shrieked. "You cannot arrest me!"
"I can and I am," Amelia then dropped the arrest warrant down on the table. The parchment fluttered down to rest on the file that contained the witness statements. "How dignified you wish to make this fall from grace is up to you. Look around you, Dolores. You were never in this room to assist with my investigation into an illegal gathering of students. You were in here as a suspect of far more grievous crime, one that - if it was carried out on the orders of your superior - will be more than enough to ruin Cornelius Fudge's career as Minister for Magic."
Kingsley had reached the desk, holding the inhibitors, ready on the wings to action the arrest when his boss was ready.
"Dolores Umbridge, you are under arrest for the physical torture of Harry Potter, the method used being the systematic, prolonged use of a blood quill which has left the victim with lasting physical and magical scarring. You are also under arrest for charges of unsanctioned corporal punishment using the same instrument of torture upon a list of twenty six students."
Umbridge panicked then, especially when Amelia looked up at her, not containing the disgust and hatred.
"As High Inquisitor, such methods were within my rights," she gasped out as she looked between Amelia and Kingsley. "Bad behaviour warrants disciplinary act-."
"With as much respect as I can give, Madame Umbridge," Kingsley's low voice spoke over her. "You have a right to be silent."
Her lips curling at Kingsley's words, Amelia gave him a curt nod again and he moved to make the arrest.
"No! No… Cornelius! Help!"
"You are now in the custody of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement where you will be formally processed, detained and questioned. While in our custody, you have the right to legal counsel and representation. Anything you say or do will be used as evidence, either in support or against you. You must now surrender your wand and magic."
Kingsley towered over the simpering witch who had backed against the wall, slowly seeing with her bulging eyes that the walls were closing in around her.
"Your wand." Amelia urged. "Hand it over, Dolores. If you cooperate, you will leave this with some dignity intact."
Trembling, Umbridge reached inside her robes and handed over her stubby wand. Amelia took it, satisfied. With a click, she opened the chest containing the blood quill and the other victims' testimonies. Umbridge's face then crumpled as she saw clearly within the chest the damning blood quill. Amelia caught the look and smiled.
"Yes, Dolores, this is what it looks like." She said as she closed the chest with a firm snap. "This is justice being done for once as it should be and… I think you will find that Cornelius will choose to salvage what will be left of his reputation than to sully himself by saving you from the consequences of your depravity."
All the bluster and vitriol seeped out of Dolores Umbridge when Kingsley approached her. She simply stared out, blank. Kingsley put a hand under her elbow and drew her away from the wall. She stumbled then, colour bleaching from her face, as her eyes rolled back. With a flump, she collapsed on the floor in a dead faint.
"So much for leaving with her dignity," Amelia remarked. "Take her away, Kingsley."
"Yes ma'am," he said at once, drawing his wand to levitate the unconscious Dolores Umbridge from the room.
"Put her in Room Two for now. She can stew in there when she wakes up."
Waiting a moment to watch Kingsley remove the offending item from the room, Amelia gathered together all the documents, filing away Harry's folder and securing its contents with her seal. A couple of trudging footsteps at the door was enough to tell her who was waiting. She glanced up.
"Have this all brought to my office, Rufus… and source me a bottle of something strong." She requested, leaving the folders and the evidence for him to deal with.
"I will handle it, Amelia, but what about Potter and Granger?" He asked, stopping her at the door.
She turned, looking over her shoulder at the mirror.
"Leave them with me."
Rufus nodded and swept off to clear away the table. Amelia kept her gaze fixed on the mirror for a moment, then exited the room to head into the adjoining one.
Dealing with Cornelius Fudge would wait. For now, it was time to celebrate the fall of the High Inquisitor. Who better to share in the victory than the two young people who brought her the evidence of her crimes? Smiling, she opened the door to the interview room.
The young pair moved apart as if they were yanked back by a sudden invisible force. Both quickly straightened their robes, both with wide eyes, shocked expressions and very pink cheeks. Amelia didn't need to be an ex-Auror to know what she just interrupted.
"I see you're both enjoying the news," she remarked, causing their faces to flush deeper shades of pink. She shut the door behind her, striding inside. A quick glance to their table confirmed that someone brought them something to eat and drink, seeing two empty cups and an empty platter sporting crumbs and a single crust.
Turning her gaze back to the pair, she stalled in her strides when she looked at Harry. He tentatively took a step towards her, his brow furrowing. Then he let out a sharp breath, two tears making their way down his cheeks. He then emboldened himself, crossing the distance. Hermione followed him, watching with heavy concern and tenderness.
"W-what happens next?" Harry asked her. "I know I can't leave. Not until I'm cleared, but Hermione…" He looked over his shoulder. "She's free to go?"
Hermione reached Harry, grabbing his arm protectively, her eyes beseeching as she gazed at Amelia directly - determined.
"I fully intend for Gawain to escort Miss Granger back to the school the moment we have Umbridge secured and will have Aurors posted on the premises. I highly doubt Fudge would be so foolish as to make any threats now that we have him backed in a corner, but he is no danger… not without his bloodhound." She turned her gaze back to Harry. "My concern lies with you. I have spoken with Alastor Moody and he is of the very strong opinion that you are in grave danger while within the Ministry's walls."
Harry and Hermione shared a look.
"Mad-eye? H-he's here?" Harry asked. His tone wasn't one of surprise but of suspicion.
Interesting.
"I have him posted in the Atrium. Out of retirement on his insistence. He also provided me with his own testimony about the months he spent in captivity. It appears he, too, is determined to make it public that Lord Voldemort is at large. He also is determined to catch more Death Eaters to add to his tally."
Harry smirked at that, eyeing Hermione again. Amelia mused at their silent communication. It was very clear how close they were.
"He has also confirmed to me that the Order of the Phoenix are operating in the Ministry." It was almost comical how Harry's smirk vanished. Amelia quickly raised a hand. "Don't be alarmed. I am very aware of the organisation's existence. My own brother was a member. He and Alastor were partners as Aurors and joined the group together. Rick… didn't survive the war, nor did my parents."
The sad look Harry gave her didn't belong on the face of someone so young. He let out a breath through his nose.
"Yes, I heard from Susan about the losses to your family. I'm sorry."
"Thank you," Amelia said, offering him a smile when she saw his genuine sympathy. "I tell you this so you know that I'm aware that Dumbledore has his spies in the Ministry… and I also know that Voldemort has his. I know who they are and, I assure you, they will not be getting past our security. I will arrange for an emergency portkey to divert you to a safehouse if they dare an assault, but their only option is a siege if they wish to seize you."
Harry's brow then furrowed and he rubbed at his forehead, his knuckle running over his famous scar.
"If you're talking to Moody, then you know that there's something that they're after in the Department of Mysteries."
" Harry! " Hermione then gasped. He looked sharply over to her.
"I agreed to cooperate," he told her, "and we know that Voldemort desperately wants whatever's here. Probably as much as he wants me dead." He then gave Amelia an assessing look. "You believe that Voldemort will plan to kill two birds with one stone?"
She was aware that the saying was a muggle one, but she got the meaning clear enough.
"I believe that it is possible which is why I'm pushing ahead on my plans to unseat Fudge and end this facade as soon as possible. You will be going before the Wizengamot tomorrow, Harry."
His mouth dropped open in surprise.
"T-Tomorrow? But I'm not ready… I don't have anything ready! No defence… or… a lawyer." His face appeared to go a little green.
"You will have me," Amelia announced firmly. "I have openly moved against Fudge and this will cause a divide in the Ministry, but it is essential that we have your name cleared. I will move forwards on a vote of no confidence, dropping the charges on Dumbledore as well as yourself. I hope we can unify with the Order and begin opposing Voldemort's regained influence."
Harry studied her face, pale and anxious. His shoulders dropped and he nodded.
"However, this will take time. There is a lot of evidence to present in court. Our priority is first and foremost your safety. Tomorrow we do all we can to get the Wizengamot agree to let you wait for your trial at Hogwarts."
Amelia took a step towards him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Then you can go back to school and hopefully make up for the time you lost from your studies... though you may wish to continue with instructing your students in defensive magic… the OWL exams are not too far away."
Harry looked up at her, his expression sceptical.
"But I'd still be under arrest."
"It'll be temporary. You will be acquitted unanimously and Fudge will lose his seat as Minister. The business of politics shouldn't be the concerns of a fifteen-year-old."
That would be believable if I was just a fifteen-year-old," Harry said, "I'm involved no matter what I do."
Amelia nodded gravely. Looking at the young man, she wished she could tell him otherwise, but she couldn't. As much as she wanted to let him live his life after the dust settled, she knew she would need his help to piece the Ministry back together. Once his naysayers were dealt with, all eyes will be upon him again.
Her eyes would be upon him too. For Alastor Moody didn't just tell her that Voldemort was after something within the Department of Mysteries. He also told her what was down there.
War was upon them and it would be down to Harry Potter to lead the charge. He was destined for it.