Author's Notes:

Well, I had quite the fun week reading the comments about the ending of the last chapter - who is Harry meeting? I must tell you it was not so much as a planned meeting than an impromptu one.
The identity of the person that Harry is meeting is revealed in this chapter - though it might be a surprise when you find out who it is and what Harry wants with the person. Things are changing, plans are going to be set in motion in the upcoming chapters. One thing is certain - Harry is going to be a lot active in this story.
Keep tuning in!

Chapter 9: The Conventional Hearing

12th August 1995

Harry chuckled under his breath as Arthur Weasley nervously shifted from foot to foot beside him. The duo were stood in a corridor that had no windows decorating its black, bare walls, facing the door that lead to Courtroom Ten. It was currently 7 am, two hours before Harry's hearing was supposed to 'officially' start. In actual fact, the court case would start in one hour.

After deliberations, Dumbledore and Harry had decided that the best course of action was to be a few hours early in order to avoid the mad rush that had happened last time. Once they were inside the courtroom, however, there was only so much they could do.

"And here I thought that I was the one standing trial," Harry commented lightly as he watched his father-in-law begin to pace. The balding red-haired man blushed a little around his ears as he stopped and looked at Harry. The young man was leaning casually against the wall, his hands shoved into the pockets of his suit trousers. Arthur smiled a little as he thought of the differences he saw in him.

Before he had seen Harry this summer, Arthur had been worried about the teen. After the Third Task of the Triwizard tournament, Arthur had begun to seriously fear for the teen's mental health. He had looked so small and weak and vulnerable as he sat stiffly in his wife's arms that Arthur was positive that a small piece of the selfless boy had been lost forever. It had been a wide worry for most members of the Order that Harry would start to seclude himself and become a shadow of the boy they were all fond of.

That had not been the case, however. Instead of the broken boy they had all expected, they received a time traveling man that wowed them all.

Arthur secretly thanked all of the lucky stars in the universe for sending Harry and his daughter's minds and souls back in time. Even though it was a situation that none of them were prepared for, and no one knew how to solve, Arthur was thankful. The man he saw everyday excluded a confidence that he had never seen in the Boy-Who-Lived before. He was still selfless and caring and polite and just Harry, but now he seemed to have become a strong and successful leader.

He thought he had a few years before another man entered his daughter's life, but he couldn't help but see that his little girl had grown into a wonderful young women, who had made the right choices in the matters of love. He was especially proud of how she had made the name of herself in Quidditch, even though he hadn't seen her fly. Harry's relationship with Ginny was the thing that made Arthur smile the most, though. They both seemed so comfortable with each other as they laughed and messed around, yet it was the moments where they looked at each other with such tenderness and love that warmed the patriarch's heart. As far as he was concerned, they had proven that they could be mature and responsible and that was enough for him to allow them to sleep in the same bed.

"Sorry. I'm just nervous." He answered Harry's earlier comment. The black haired boy smiled reassuringly at him, but before he could say anything, another voice cut in.

"What are you doing down here?" Harry and Arthur turned around to look at the owner of the flustered and blustering voice and were unsurprised to see the slowly reddening face of Cornelius Fudge.

"I believe Mr Potter is here for his hearing, Minister. I was just escorting him down here." Mr Weasley answered in a forced polite tone. Fudge apparently didn't notice as he advance on the duo.

"H-how did you know his hearing would be here?" He asked in a frantic tone. Harry almost smirked as he saw Fudge's composure slip a little.

"I heard a rumour wandering around the offices, so we thought we'd come down here just to make sure. Lucky we got here a few hours early, eh Harry?" Arthur winked covertly at the young teen who grinned back and nodded.

Fudge spluttered for a few moments before he drew himself up to his very unimpressive height. "Very well. Arthur, you can leave now. Mr Potter can wait inside the courtroom." He ordered before turning on his heel and waltzing clumsily through the door.

"See you on the other side Minister!" Harry called after him.

"Is that wise, Harry?" Arthur asked.

Harry sighed before pulling away from the wall, "I know. But, going through all this again is maddening. Don't worry, this time I'm prepared."

"I'll be here when you come out Harry," Mr Weasley smiled at him before laying his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Good luck, son." And with that, he walked back up the corridor. Harry couldn't help but look after him, his heart still lifted after being called 'son'. He soon snapped out of it though, and walked through the door into the Courtroom.

The atmosphere in Courtroom Ten was uncomfortable and tense. Harry and Fudge had been the only ones in the room for roughly half an hour before the room started to fill. They both studiously ignored each other as Harry sat in the chained chair and Fudge bustled over his papers.

Harry's eyes roamed over the full courtroom, checking for any signs of change from his memory of his last hearing. Nothing seemed out of place and as his brain processed this fact, he relaxed more and more into the chair. He deliberately made sure his eyes did not stray near the Minister and to the woman sat beside him. He did not want to shout out and make his case even worse for himself; who knew what Fudge would do then.

"Are we all ready to begin?" Fudge asked the Court. When he received murmurs of agreement, he nodded to the bespectacled man, who sat slightly below him. Harry followed his gaze and his mouth turned down at the corners a little. It saddened him that the Percy Weasley sat in this room despised him and had turned his back on his family to believe in a power hungry, image conscious prat. In the future, Percy had told Harry on a quiet afternoon at the Burrow that estranging himself from his family was the biggest mistake he had ever done, and if he could turn back time, then he would go back to his family in a heartbeat. Harry could only hope that Percy came around quicker this time, before it was too late.

Fudge's voice snapped him out of his musings. "Disciplinary hearing of the twelve of August into offences committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey." as the Minister's voice droned on; Harry couldn't help but wonder if Fudge was even aware of the meaning of the words he spoke or if he was just reading from some script.

"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," Harry's eyes met the ones of the square-jawed witch and he briefly detected a hint of sympathy and disgust in them. He puzzled over the emotions for a moment before the next name harshly snapped him back to reality. "Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister..."

Harry's teeth clenched as he balled his currently unscarred hand into a fist. His eyes narrowed a little as he took in the toad like, girl appearance of his most hated Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. There must be some way to deter her from taking the position at Hogwarts and save the students from her tyranny. He was already imagining how to chuck her into Azkaban ahead of its schedule.

She sat there, next the Minister, with a bow on her head, a smug smile widening her flabby lips. Harry had to restrain himself from growling at the woman, reminding himself that at this moment in tie, he wasn't supposed to know the sadistic toad. It was only when a voice came from behind him, did Harry remember himself and focus back on his hearing.

"Witness for the Defence, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Harry almost laughed aloud at the horrified and aghast expression that plaster itself over Fudge's face. He could have sworn he saw the man flinch a little. Madam Bones looked slightly relieved and Umbridge looked like she had just chocked on a fly. Dumbledore conjured a comfier looking chair and sat beside Harry. He winked at the teen and smiled serenely at the Minister, who could only gape at him.

"Ah. You-er- got out -er- message..." He stuttered. Harry marvelled at his inability to string a few words together. How people had voted him into office, Harry did not know; the man was an absolute fool.

"No, I must have missed it. Fortunately, I arrived at the Ministry three hours early." If Fudge had any common sense or brains, Harry was sure, that his eyes would narrow suspiciously. Luckily, the balding man in front of him seemed to be trying to compose himself.

"Right. Well... On to the charges." He cleared his throat and spoke even louder, though that did nothing to hide the waver in his voice as he read aloud Harry's charges. Then the questioning began.

"You are Harry James Potter, of number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?" He asked as he avoided Harry's eyes.

"Yes." Harry said. The slight undertone in his voice suggested that he thought that was obvious.

"You received an official warning from the Ministry for using illegal magic three years ago, did you not?"

"Yes," he knew that interrupting to explain himself further was useless.

"And you conjured a Patronus on the night of the second of August?"

"Yes"

This pattern of questioning carried on for a few minutes; Fudge would ask a question and barely allow time for Harry to answer them. Despite the fact that Harry knew this would happen, he felt his blood boil with anger towards the snivelling man. It wasn't until Fudge's seventh question that the pattern was broken.

"Fully aware that you were in close proximity to a Muggle at the time?" The Minister sneered down at him, and it was then that Dumbledore interrupted the questioning - just as they had planned.

"Excuse me Minister, but I would just like to point out that while Harry performed the charm in front of a Muggle, said boy was fully aware of magic and has been since Mr Potter received his Hogwarts letter at the age of 11." The words were spoken calmly, but the effect was explosive.

A great murmuring broke out across the room, indicating that the members of the Court were not aware of this fact. Umbridge's eyes bulged comically as she sat ramrod straight in her chair; Percy's quill hesitated in his hand as he looked quizzically up at the Minister, who had turned an unflattering shade of white. Madam Bones was also looking at Fudge, but with her eyes narrowed.

"Is this true, Mr Potter?" she boomed at him.

"Yes. Dudley was the Muggle with me and I have lived with him and my aunt and Uncle since I was a year old." He answered in the same calm tone that Dumbledore had used. Percy was quickly scribbling every word down as Madam Bones' eyebrows raised.

"So, he is aware of Magic?"

"Yes ma'am. He has been aware of magic since we were 11, but he has witnessed several bouts of my accidental magic, and he was there when I received a warning about the Hover Charm three years ago, and when the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad arrived at my house to deflate my Aunt, two years ago." He promptly answered.

He snuck a glance at Fudge who seemed to have sunk a little in his seat as he gazed, shocked, at Harry and Dumbledore.

"And were your Aunt, Uncle and Cousin Obliviated at any of these instances?" she asked sharply. Although she was speaking to Harry, she was glaring icily at Fudge.

"No."

"It doesn't matter whether the Muggle was aware of our world or not! The fact is Mr. Potter, being underage, used magic outside of school, which is clearly against the law," interrupted Umbridge.

Before she could hit her stride, Harry spoke up, "Madam Bones, may I be allowed to present my side?"

She nodded.

Finally, having the chance to explain, Harry sped off into what had really happened on the night of second of August. How he and Dudley were hanging about and how the Dementors had attacked them and in a bout of self-defence he had conjured the Patronus. He then called out Mrs. Figg as the witness of the event. She was thoroughly questioned like last time. Without allowing Fudge or his lackey Umbridge to intercede with justifications of misdemeanor, Dumbledore gave the rousing speech of the odd behaviour of the Dementors, who were supposedly under the Ministry's control.

Harry almost smiled with joy as he saw Madam Bones jump to her feet. The rest of the Court gasped and Umbridge looked at Harry with such hate, he was reminded of his detentions with the woman.
He had a sudden inkling that if he were to serve detention this time around, then he would be facing more than just a Blood Quill.

Madam Bones' voice shattered to uneasy silence that descended upon the Courtroom as she ended the hearing. "I find Mr. Harry James Potter cleared of the charges of his offense of Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlock's Statute of Secrecy. His charges of his offense under Paragraph C of the Degree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, will be suspended until it has been investigated fully by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Nothing more was said as the formidable witch glared once more at the Minister.

The rest of the Wizengamot remained in a stunned silence, a few of them staring curiously between the Minister and Harry. A few gave him smiles of encouragement that surprised him more than he could articulate.

"Good day, Harry." Dumbledore bade him farewell with a smile, before he too exited the room.

Harry only hesitated a moment, and then addressed the courtroom at large, "I would like to apologise to the Wizengamot for wasting their precious time on a trivial matter such as underage magic." He threw a look to the Fudge. He then found Madam Bones, "I hope that the Ministry will try its best to investigate into the matter of the absconding Dementors. Thank you. Have a good day."

He left; a smile etched on his lips.

Harry met Arthur outside the courtroom, laughing as the man gaped after the Wizengamot members who were further up the corridor. The man turned his amazed look on the teenager at the laugh and his mouth moved as though he were about to speak.

"I did tell you." Harry pointed out, his eyes twinkling in a familiar fashion. Arthur finally closed his mouth and shook his head wearily.

"I know, I just didn't think you were serious..." His voice trailed off as he looked over the younger man's shoulder. Harry frowned a little in confusion that soon cleared as he looked behind him and came face to face with Percy Weasley.

The third Weasley son spared his father and Harry a quick glance before he retreated down the corridor. Harry turned back to Mr Weasley and saw that he wore an ugly look that usually didn't grace his face. But as he stared a few moments longer, Harry saw the deep sadness that shone through the patriarch's eyes. A quick glance back at the corridor, and Harry had made his decision.

"Wait here, a moment." He told the older man as he began to walk away.

"What? Harry... What are you doing? We need to leave now!" He protested. Harry didn't even turn around as he answered the man.

"It won't take long; I'll be back before soon. Just wait here for me," and with that, he turned the corner just before Percy turned around another.

"Percy!" He called out as he broke into a jog in order to catch up with him. Percy turned around, curious, but that look quickly faded into a sneer when he saw who was shouting his name.

"Potter. What do you want? I am a very busy man." He complained as he glared through his horn-rimmed glasses. Harry wondered if the other man thought he was actually being intimidating.

"I just wanted a quick word with you." He answered. Percy grimaced at him.

"What about? I don't need to hear any of your lies, Potter. So why don't you just leave me alone." He hissed before turning around. He didn't get far, however, as Harry had grabbed his elbow and tugged him back.

"Lies, you think. Don't tell me you didn't think that the theatrics put up by the dear old Minister Fudge were nothing but short of his way of using his power and influence," Harry simply said.

Percy stiffened at those words. He remained still for a few moments before suddenly whirling around and glaring at the younger man with a glare so ferocious that Harry actually wanted to take a step back.

"Listen, I didn't come after you to yell at you and insult you. I know you resent me and my closeness with your family," he looked up at Percy, who was watching him with a little sadness. "I came to remind you of one thing."

"What?"

"You are fresh out of Hogwarts with no real experience! Your last boss ended up being attacked and murdered under your very nose! Normally, a person would not be promoting into the highest office of the Ministry after that! If you truly believe that, then your ego is even bigger than I thought."

Percy turned bright red in anger as he visibly shook with rage. "You dare -"

"Of course, I dare!" Harry yelled over him. "I dare because I see what your stupidity is doing to your family! I know you're a stickler for rules, Percy. Or have you given up that habit, seeing Fudge and his gang playing by the book. Think about it!" And with that, he turned and walked around the corner towards Arthur, leaving Percy to stare indecipherably at his back.

Arthur, who had followed Harry, saw his third son walk away. He could only ask Harry in a quiet whisper, "Does he come back?"

"He does. He only needs to open his eyes and see for himself," Harry replied.

Arthur was about to ask something, when they heard a footsteps behind them. A tall man with sleek blond hair and a pointed, pale face, "Arthur Weasley, the Minister would like a word with you in his office."

Lucius Malfoy narrowed his cold grey eyes and fixed them upon Harry's face. Behind him, Cornelius Fudge was standing a few feet away talking to Madam Bones. Harry hoped that Madam Bones was dressing him down. By the looks of it, it sure seemed so.

"I am afraid it must wait. I have to escort Harry home," said Arthur curtly, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Surely, he can go by himself," Malfoy senior said, his lip curled. "After all, if he can produce a Patronus for defence, he can find his way home. There is nothing out there to harm him."

Harry resisted to roll his eyes. "Can I ask what it is in regards to?" Arthur asked.

"It is unwise in a position such as yourself to demand things."

"Arthur! My office now," Fudge had joined in, red in face.

"But -"

Deciding not to let his father-in-law under more scrutiny by the Minister of Magic, he said, "It's alright Arthur. I can take the tube."

Arthur Weasley looked hesitant to even consider this option. Harry regarded him straight in the eyes and gave a small nod and smile, indicating that he will be okay.

"Send me an owl," Arthur said before following Fudge to his office, though not before throwing a look at Malfoy.

"Hurry along, Weasley."

Before Harry could make his way down the corridor, Lucius Malfoy had blocked his path. He was regarding him coolly.

"The Minister was just telling me about your lucky escape, Potter," drawled Lucius. "Quite astonishing, the way you continue to wriggle out of very tight holes… snakelike, in fact."

"Yeah," said Harry, "yeah, I'm good at escaping. Just like some who convinced others that they were under the Imperius curse by Voldemort."

"You have no idea what you are up against Potter. Just because you are the headmaster's favourite, don't go around expecting the same indulgence from others. Dumbledore won't be able to protect you forever," he spat.

"I wouldn't expect him to," Harry retorted, refusing to let himself be frightened.

"Sooner or later you are going to meet the same sticky end as your parents! The Dark Lord is soon going to cleanse the wizarding world of those with impure blood - the riff-raff!" he spat.

Harry clenched his teeth. "Instead of worrying about me, I think you should worry about your own son."

"What is that supposed to mean? Is that a threat?"

"Not at all. Why should I threaten him, when his own father is endangering his life," said Harry. "You do understand what your master expects, don't you? - the loyalty of the pretentious pure-bloods who believe in the blood purity," Harry bit back a smile. "Your precious Draco is ultimately going to have to join the ranks of Death Eaters. And I think we both know that he doesn't have what it takes to be a murderer."

"Good Day." With that Harry swept past him, leaving Lucius Malfoy gaping behind him.

As they had arrived for the trial, Harry left the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic through the visitor's entrance. He stepped out into the sun, that was blazing particularly this summer's day. He remembered that England was passing under a tremendous heatwave that year. He started walking towards the Charing Cross tube station, deeply absorbed in his thoughts.

His mind easily processed the fact that he was cleared of most of his charges and he had acknowledged that the Dementor issue was going to be investigated, but what he couldn't wrap his head around was the talk he had had with the estranged Weasley. He didn't know what on earth had possessed him to run after the red headed man like that, and before he could even think about it, he was shouting out his name. Harry and Ginny had talked a little about Percy, but they hadn't decided on a concrete plan of action. As far as she was concerned, Percy had to get over his own pig-headedness and come back on his own- an attitude that seemed to be common with the entire Weasley family. But Harry couldn't just ignore it. He had seen what the damage had done to Percy; had seen how guilty and devastated he had felt after Fred died.

Sighing softly and running his hands through his hair, Harry was looking forward to a bit of lying down at home. He stopped in his tracks. Home. Was Grimmauld Place once again his residence? Harry and Ron had moved into the house when they had started their Auror training, with Ginny and Hermione joining them after completing their seventh year at Hogwarts. The four of them lived together, until Harry and Ginny bought a new house, named 'The Orchard' after they had gotten engaged. They had started their new married life there. And now, they were back to their first home.

Oblivious to his surroundings, he unknowingly walked into someone on the bustling pavements of the London city. Harry snapped out of his haze. Apologising profusely, Harry bent down to lend a hand to the person he had knocked over.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking."

"Perfectly alright," came the reply, in a voice that was very much familiar to Harry.

"Professor Slughorn!" exclaimed Harry.

"Why, I didn't think I would meet a fellow student of mine out here in Muggle London," said Horace Slughorn, alarmed.

Indeed it was him - the bumbling, Potions Master of Hogwarts, currently retired in this time. The last time Harry had seen him was at some Ministry party. Slughorn was a pleasant man in his way, but he was also vain - particularly the way he collected bright, talented and famous students for his 'Slug Club', which had always irked Harry.

The professor straightened himself, and then frowned, "I don't remember teaching -" It was then his gaze fell upon Harry's forehead, the customary identification of him wherever he went.

"Oho," he said, his large round eyes flying to Harry's lightning-shaped scar. "Oho! Merlin's beard, I had hoped to meet you someday. Didn't realise it would be out here. Lucky, I decided to come today to eat at my favourite place." He then pointed to the restaurant, which Harry had just passed by, 'The Clarence'.

He grabbed Harry's hand in a tight shake, "How did you recognize me?"

"I, uh, I saw you in some of my mum's pictures," lied Harry, recalling that his mother was his favourite student.

"Ah. Lily. Sweet girl. Very sad," he said, raking Harry's face. "But you look very like your father. Except for the eyes," he trailed off.

Harry said nothing, he was used to hearing it too often. He stood there, his hand still caught in the handshake.

"What are you doing out here, if I may ask?"

"Oh, I -, I had my trial at the ministry. Underage magic." Upon seeing Slughorn's eyes widened in surprise, he quickly continued, "Nothing suspicious. I cast a Patronus Charm to save myself and my cousin from Dementors."

"Dementors! And Patronus Charm at your age. How - You know, why don't we continue this inside. My treat," said Slughorn jovially. "Better than standing out in this heat."

Harry, truthfully, had no interest in conversing with him over lunch. He rackled his brains to find out a way to decline him politely. He hadn't met Slughorn until the beginning of his sixth year - that too because Dumbledore wanted his vital memory. He had allowed himself to be collected by him. Charming him with his potions skills with the help of the Half-Blood Prince. He was atleast a heaps better teacher than Snape, if only he had the job -

Harry gasped as an idea shot through him. An idea so exciting he could feel his hairs on his skin stand.

He answered Slughorn's questioning look, "I would be delighted." He then let himself be steered towards the restaurant.