The atmosphere in the crowded Atrium of the heart of magical Britain had bordered on a frenzied hysteria. Protestors were launched out of the premises the moment they attempted to scramble inside from the visitors' entrance. Civilians staggering out of the floo portals were swiftly turned around and sent back home. Within a couple of hours since The Daily Prophet announced the Ministry's militant control of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the building was in a lockdown, golden grates slamming down over the many fireplaces lining up the sides of the east-wing.
There had been a shared excitement between the journalists, correspondents and photographers eagerly clutching their assorted tools. Cameras were held at the ready, waiting to snap anything that moved from the elevators. Quills had stilled since the last wizard garbed in the purple robes of the Wizengamot disappeared. The last thing that happened that was relatively news-worthy was the guard shift change when the Aurors that had been stationed in the Atrium since the early morning were relieved and replaced. Sterner, face-freshed Aurors now avidly watched the reporters that managed to get security clearance.
But they wouldn't be the ones getting the exclusive news directly from the source. That privilege had been granted to the Wizarding Wireless Network who could broadcast live the official statements from the Ministry without any facts being censored. At the request of Madame Bones later in the day, a hastily assembled broadcast station sat in the foyer of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. From the desk, behind large trumpet-like receivers, were two wizards sporting matching moustaches, yawning away as they diverted the signal back to the station until something worth reporting unfolded in front of them. Another replay of the latest hit from The Weird Sisters graced the airways across magical Britain while the population of witches and wizards tuned in to the news.
For the most listened to broadcast in recent history, it wasn't very interesting. It challenged even the Lowell brothers, veteran WWN broadcasters who'd been urgently transferred to Britain that morning from New York to report that they were told would be history. Between songs, they reported no activity from the doors that led into the inner workings of the Department. No glimpse of the powerful and influential figures who were currently engaged in an emergency session in the Wizengamot Assembly Hall.
Discussions passed between the brothers, ones that debated what was being so urgently addressed. Was Cornelius Fudge being made to answer for the conditions at Hogwarts? Were the Wizengamot carrying out their cross examination of one Harry Potter, who had been in Ministry custody for a number of days for charges of sedition? Or were they questioning Dolores Umbridge, who reportedly had not been seen since coming into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to give her testimonies against Albus Dumbledore?
The doors leading into the offices of the Department opened after five hours. Eustace Lowell, the senior brother of the pair, jerked from his stupor at the desk. His hand seized the handle of the receiver. The other brother, Basil, flicked the signal back to them, the belly of their broadcast equipment suddenly emanating a red light.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back to our broadcast live from the British Ministry of Magic, direct from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement…"
Around four hundred miles away from where they were broadcasting under Whitehall in London, the entire Gryffindor House were listening in and had been all afternoon. A rather battered Wireless stood in pride of place on one of the biggest tables surrounded by students - all previously very distracted and bored until an American voice cut over the music.
Several wands shot sparks out to get everyone to shut up and listen. Hermione's wand was one of them. Ron, next to her, shouted over the dwindling voices.
"Shut it everyone. Something's happening!"
He, like everyone else, sat back, tense and listening to every word that came out of the Wireless that McGonagall brought up into the Common Room after declaring that classes were cancelled for the day. With everyone too distracted with the news (and with howlers arriving on the minute to pelt the professors), studying was out of the question.
Hermione's fingers went back to her face, finding the sore spots where they'd already been digging in as she anxiously waited for news about Harry. His name had come up often during the live programme as the broadcasters spoke about him without the disdain and ridicule that had been the theme with The Daily Prophet. The news broadcasters were far more interested in the facts than covering it up with claims that he was delusional. She strongly suspected that they'd been requested to make the coverage for their neutrality. Though listening to them talk openly about Harry's life with no regard for his privacy had her digging her fingers deeper into her cheeks.
"We've just been told Madame Bones will be here shortly to deliver a statement."
"What does that mean?" Ron whispered. Hermione shook her head, eyes fixed on the Wireless. There were whispers all around, but it wasn't loud enough to cut out the Wireless, not with the Sonorous charms Hermione laced on the old antique.
"Other members of the press are now being passed through security so we're to expect that the Ministry will be making their public address here, rather than down in the Atrium. It's peculiar, don't you think, Eustace?"
"Much of today's proceedings can fall into that category, Basil."
The brothers paused, allowing them to hear sounds of activity going on in the background. From the number of different voices, a lot was suddenly unfolding in the foyer.
"Rufus Scrimgeour, Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has made an appearance to oversee the proceedings here. Ah… they're putting up a podium here. It appears that this statement is coming from the DMLE and not from the Minister's office."
Hermione glanced at Ron, catching his eye. Would they get news now? The background voices were louder, but inaudible.
"Mr Scrimgeour has taken the podium." One of the brothers said in a low voice just before an English accented voice took over.
"As a matter of security, I must ask you all to remain behind the barriers. No flashes please. We are on high alert and we do not wish to mistake a photograph for a curse."
"The Aurors are putting up security charms between the press pen and the podium," the broadcaster explained in a hushed voice. "Among them is Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody who it appears has come out of retirement to assist the security presence here today. These measures are quite extraordinary. We can only assume that this means we will witness them moving Harry Potter to where he's been held in Ministry custody."
Hermione jumped a little at the mention of his name, releasing a small squeak. Suddenly there was a burst of noise as voices called out. The atmosphere was tense in the Common Room, a mixture of apprehension, dread and excitement stirring together in the cauldron, with a sprinkle of anxiety and fear where Hermione and Ron worried for their best friend's safety.
"The Aurors are clearing a safe path for the full Wizengamot to take their leave. From what we can see, all forty five witches and warlocks were in attendance for this emergency session. They're being escorted to the elevators… and down to level nine." Whichever brother it was reported in a low, excited voice.
"To the Courtrooms." The other brother added.
"The general mood surrounding them is very tense. None are taking questions from our fellow members of the press. It does seem like they are gathering for a priority court case - whose court case we can only guess at this point."
There was more background noise. Hermione strained her hearing to make out something that would tell them what was going on. Where was Harry? Was he being taken down to the Courtrooms as well? She felt her heart plummet. Surely they wouldn't bring him so close to the Department of Mysteries?
The noise crescendoed again, pitching up out the speakers, coming out as a loud blast of sound. Everyone cringed, some flinched, others let out cries of alarm. Singular voices could be picked up once the initial explosion of excited voices died down.
"It's him!"
"Harry - over here!"
Hermione's head flicked towards Ron so fast, her neck cricked. Ron's eyes were wide, mouth agape.
"There's the money shot! " The broadcaster who Hermione was sure to be the eldest exclaimed. " Cornelius Fudge and Amelia Bones have just arrived, joined with none other than Harry Potter. Well - we didn't expect this."
"No, indeed not. Look at the face on Fudge, Eustace!"
They chuckled between themselves. " The Minister is not a happy man - and with good reason if the Wizengamot have acted as we suspected in light of the scandal at Hogwarts. "
"Madame Bones has taken Mr Potter to the side and they appear to be conferring in private. This is a very different scene to the ones released during his incarceration as a suspect to conspiracy."
The whispering and murmurs in the Common Room increased in volume, but neither Ron or Hermione told them to quieten down. They were both grinning broadly. Had Harry actually done it? Had he convinced the Wizengamot to acquit him of all charges?
"Aurors are escorting the Minister to the elevators. I'm not certain why anyone is wasting their breath with questions. Fudge may as well have 'unavailable to comment' stamped on his forehead. "
There were a few chuckles at the broadcaster's observation. Hermione listened keenly, taking in the news. If Fudge was declining to comment, that had to be a good thing. Likely he was making a rapid departure to prepare his response to Umbridge's arrest and the accusations he was facing himself for negligence and child endangerment.
The hubbub coming from the speaker started to die down. Hermione reacted, spraying sparks up into the air to get the noise back down in the Common Room as well.
"Amelia Bones is making her way to the podium, " the hushed commentary told them, " Harry Potter is… wait, he's joining her. This is what we've been waiting for - history in the making. Will this be the official announcement of the return-."
He cut off abruptly and there was a feminine clearing of a throat. Hermione dropped her hands from her face and sought Ron's hand, grabbing it rather violently. This was it.
" Over the past four days, myself and the Aurors of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement have been investigating a plot against the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Evidence found at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry implicated both Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter for sedition against the Ministry and as actively plotting a coup d'etat. As a result of the evidence found, and a confession taken from the scene, an attempt to arrest Dumbledore was made - only for him to evade arrest. Mr Potter, however, was arrested as his accomplice and has since been in Ministry custody. "
There was a purposeful pause, needed to allow the many listeners to process her words and for the charmed quills of the reporters to take down everything she said.
"Mr Potter has fully cooperated with my department, provided his testimony and assisted with procuring us evidence. As a result of his cooperation, we have built up a case that not only proves that Mr Potter was not part of a plot against the Ministry, but in fact a victim of abusive practices made against him and his person in an attempt to subjugate and silence him."
Shouts burst from both the speaker and the Common Room. Ron hoarsely croaked something that sounded like an expletive. He wasn't the only one.
"What we are discovering is a cover up campaign spanning across a decade and, right in the centre, is Mr Potter. Those responsible for this campaign belong in the highest levels of authority in the Ministry - in the Minister's own office. Chiefly among them is former Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge."
All the heat and energy from the voices that had risen up in outrage drained away as all listened to what Amelia Bones was revealing to the public.
"Madame Umbridge has been charged with multiple counts of child endangerment, child abuse and… torture. She has already been removed from her position as Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts and is in custody, awaiting trial at Azkaban."
Once again there was an explosion of voices. Hermione winced against the sound, seeing her discomfort shared around the room. It took a while for the crowd of reporters to settle down once it was clear none of their questions were answered.
" Details of her charges will be released as we form up our prosecution, but I will reveal that the evidence is conclusive. We have multiple testimonies from victims, however the main target of her abuse stands beside me. It is our belief that when her tortures failed to silence Mr Potter, she chose to have him detained. Whether or not she acted alone or at the Minister's bidding, we are yet to ascertain. That she even was in the position to carry out such heinous acts on the charges she was there to protect is condemning enough."
Another measured pause punctuated her statements.
"Harry has provided his testimony against her. The actions that led to his arrest were in direct revolt of her authority imposed upon the school by this Ministry. However seditious as these actions are, we are yet to determine whether or not they are punishable by Law. "
Hermione's heart was racing, desperately wondering how Harry was coping, standing right there, listening to how he was being discussed as if he wasn't even there. It couldn't be easy, not when he had an audience. She expected every eye in that place was on him.
"The Wizengamot has agreed to allow Mr Potter to be temporarily released pending his Trial. During that time, he will remain in protective custody. Details about which will be withheld - for obvious reasons. As for the Minister's response to recent events, his office will arrange and release any further statements. Thank you."
As expected, the reporters took up their cries, garbled questions erupting as a mess of noise. Hermione shook herself, blinking rapidly.
"He's being released." Hermione whispered. Around her, sound around her seemed to mesh into a hum of voices, until a broad smile returned to her face.
He's coming home.