oooOOOoooOOOooo Chapter 21
It was after 1pm before they left the Headmaster's office. Hermione and Gabrielle insisted that Harry go check in with Madam Pomfrey. The burn on his arm had started to throb and his cheek was itchy with dried blood.
Harry tried to protest but the girls wouldn't hear it.
"You need to be checked over and Padfoot deserves to hear what's going on," said Hermione, bossily. Harry sighed but knew she was right.
McGonagall had followed them down to make sure they got safely to their destination. She wholeheartedly agreed with the girls. Harry was outnumbered and outclassed. He walked tiredly towards the Hospital Wing.
His mind was a whirl of fears, what ifs, and memories. It finally flashed on the memory of something he wanted to talk to McGonagall about.
"Professor, I had the idea of having a photographer come to take pictures for us before the ball. Hermione had the idea of allowing her to take pictures for everyone else. I was wondering if it'd be alright for her to set up in the antechamber off the Great Hall? I think most people would like that," said Harry.
Professor McGonagall looked at him like he was insane. Gabrielle smiled at him like he was a saint.
"After all you've been through, you still think of others?" said the girl. Harry blushed and shrugged.
"I just remembered it and wanted to let the shopkeeper know before it got to be too late," said Harry.
McGonagall shook her head at the inner workings of Harry's mind.
"I think that is very thoughtful, Harry. Yes, please, let her know it's fine with me," said the Deputy Head.
Harry smiled for the first time since he'd walked out of the shop.
He wanted to talk to Neville and the twins about joining in for the private photoshoot. Luckily, they saw Neville coming in from Hogsmeade with a girl on each arm. McGonagall raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
"Hey Nev," said Harry, an angry look still on his face.
Neville, Susan, and Hannah stopped to stare at Harry.
"What happened to you?" asked the auror minded Susan. Her auntie had taught her to be on high alert most of the time.
"Ron," spat Harry. He didn't elaborate. Neville noticed Harry's burn and the cut on his face. He saw Moody's missing ear and the blood still in his hair. Susan noticed the aurors looked ready to kill.
"Walk with me?" Harry asked. Neville glanced at his girls and saw they were amenable. They were all curious to find out what happened.
They walked in silence until they reached the hall with the hospital wing. No one was around, or so they thought. Draco Malfoy was hiding at the end of the hall, a listening charm cast in the hallway containing Harry and his friends. The aurors stood, looking ready to do battle. Malfoy slunk a little further back in the shadows. If Moody wasn't distracted by the pain in his head, he would have seen the little bastard.
Harry explained what happened. Neville and Susan gasped in shock. Hannah started to cry. Malfoy tried to stay silent but he let out a curse at the fact that his father had apparently lost his wand arm and was caught by the DMLE.
Tonks heard him. She cast quick and sure. Malfoy bounced out into the center of the hallway. Moody had him in ropes in a heartbeat.
"Little Malfoy, what have we here?" growled the hopping mad auror. Moody stalked forward. "Have we just caught Weasley's accomplice?"
Tonks stood in front of Harry's group, casting protective wards all around, just in case.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I, I was just on my way for a headache potion!" stuttered the blonde boy. Sweat started beading on his forehead.
Moody snorted in disbelief. He summoned Malfoy's wand.
"Hey!" shouted the boy in a high pitched voice. Moody cast a priori incantatem on the wand. All it showed was a listening charm.
Moody growled. "This wand's been cleared. Wonder why you would have done that?" hissed the angry auror.
Draco didn't say anything. He was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and his eyes down, in case they tried to use legilimency on him. He didn't know what this crazy auror was capable of.
"Nothing to say for yourself? Well, I can promise you your father will be singing like a bird. When I left Madam Bones was personally administering veritaserum. He'll be caught for sure," spat the auror. Draco couldn't help it. His eyes flew open wide in fear.
"That's right, you should be afraid. Your father will be in Azkaban before nightfall," said Moody with a satisfied smirk. "Attempted child abduction, attempted murder of the heir to an ancient and noble house, and attack on a liege lord. He won't be getting out of this one, no matter his connections and money. Fudge was already distancing himself before your sorry sack of shite father could start talking. If he's found guilty, and I've no doubt he will be, you'll lose half your fortune to Potter before the week is out. An emergency session of the Wizengamot is being called for tomorrow morning. He won't escape this time. There's no dark lord to blame the imperius on," spat Moody, angrily.
"No!" Draco called, panicked.
Moody wanted to snap this brat's wand right now but he knew he didn't have enough proof to make it stick. Though Moody had no doubt that the brat was involved, his father would surely take the fall.
"Yes," grinned Moody. He threw Draco's wand at him and released him from the ropes. "Get out of here, before I decide to use veritaserum on you, legal or not. I'd gladly take my own stint in Azkaban to see the Malfoy line die. The Wizengamot shows no mercy to child abusers."
Draco knew it was true. He grabbed his wand and hurried down the hallway. He turned back to Harry at the end of the hall. "I'll get you for this, Potter."
Harry glared right back but didn't say a word. Draco could try. Harry would be ready for these bastards next time. He'd use lethal force to protect his children, consequences be damned.
"I'll remember that," shouted Moody as Draco ran away. "If you try anything, I can get you for premeditation because of that remark!" Draco just ran faster.
The aurors stood still until they couldn't hear the sound of running feet anymore, then Tonks moved into the hospital wing to check to make sure the coast was clear before she let Harry and his friends go inside.
Harry was angry. He thought the same thing Moody did, that Ron and Draco were in cahoots together.
Neville was thinking the same thing. He spoke up. "We saw Ron and Draco talking in the entrance hall this morning," said Neville. Susan nodded.
"They looked quite suspicious," she said, her eyes narrowed.
Harry grit his teeth in anger. "I've no doubt they were in on this together just like I've no doubt they'll both get away scot-free!"
Everyone looked at Harry sympathetically.
"Buck up," said Tonks. "You caught seven death eaters today."
Harry tried to see the bright side. "Yeah, I caught Pettigrew. Maybe the Ministry will finally pull their heads out of their asses."
No one felt confident that would be the case.
Harry finally remembered what he wanted to talk to Neville about. "Anyway, Nev. I wanted to see if you and your ladies wanted to join us for a private photo session before the ball? I've hired a photographer. You'll have to order your prints separately but you'll have the session itself covered," said Harry, frustration still coloring his voice.
Neville blinked. "You've just been attacked by death eaters and you're thinking about me?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "If I focus only on the people who attack me, I'd have nothing else to think about," Harry said, ruefully.
Neville laughed. "I guess that's true." He looked at Susan and Hannah. They both nodded.
"Alright. We'd be glad to join you," said Neville.
"Great. Could you let the Weasley twins know, too? Plan to be at my room at 5pm, ready to go. We'll have our sessions then head to the ball together. I have to be at the entrance to the Great Hall by 7pm," Harry said, the thought adding nausea to his already teeming emotions.
"We'll be there," said Neville. He turned to leave. Susan offered her other arm to him, a still weepy Hannah on her other.
Harry and his group watched them go for a minute, then turned back to the Hospital Wing. They stepped inside.
Madam Pomfrey came bustling over. When she saw Harry's face, she hurried faster.
"Mr. Potter, what happened?" she asked, seriously.
Harry growled his frustration and explained one more time. He just gave the basics to the mediwitch. He didn't want to explain about Ron again. He hated even thinking that bastard's name.
Harry had started shaking with post battle nerves. Madam Pomfrey practically forced a dose of calming draft down his throat. Harry could admit he felt better when it took hold.
She wrapped his burn and healed his face, then checked him over once more. She shook her head.
"I don't see anything else wrong with you. Have a seat while I take a look at this one," she said, thumbing at Moody.
Moody groused but managed to hand her his ear, wrapped in an evidence bag. She shook her head at the man but worked to reattach the appendage.
Moody's ear made a weird zipping sound as it reattached. He hissed at the sensation but was glad to have his body part back where it belonged. Madam Pomfrey forced a couple of potions on the man then let him go. She knew none of them would agree to sit around and rest for long.
Harry led the way back to Regulus' room. He sent a knocking charm at the warded door. After a moment, it opened. Padfoot lay across Regulus' legs. Regulus was sitting up, his head turned towards the door.
"Hello. Can we come in?" asked Harry. Regulus smiled slowly and gave a single nod.
Harry pushed the baby buggy into the room and sat down. Moody followed the group inside and replaced the wards over the door.
Sirius turned back into a human and hurried forward. "What happened pup? Are you alright?" he asked, hurriedly.
Harry let his anger out, finally. He groused to Sirius while Winky popped into the room, changed the babies' nappies, and handed a bottle and a baby over to Hermione and Gabrielle. They held the sleepy babies while they ate, watching Harry with sorrowful eyes.
When Harry and Moody had finished the sorry, expletive filled tale, Sirius started his own grousing.
"That traitor. He's as bad as Peter ever was, if he's willing to send babies to the death eaters. Of course the DMLE couldn't do anything. The law's on the side of the villains not the victims," he spat.
"At least they caught Pettigrew," said Hermione, sympathetically. Sirius snorted.
"Fat lot of good that'll do. You wait and see. They still won't free me. They'll make up some other reason to condemn me," growled Sirius. The aurors unfortunately couldn't deny it was a possibility. With Fudge as Minister, any travesty could happen.
Regulus slowly shook his head. "Mal-foy… was… always… a spine-less… cow-ard. At-tack-ing… bab-ies?" Regulus snorted and shook his head slowly but angrily.
Sirius sat up and looked at Harry with a dead serious look. "You should go pay Fudge off. It's what Malfoy will be trying to do, you'd best believe it."
Harry sighed. "Do you think it'd make a difference?"
"Don't you want to try? At least try to keep Malfoy in prison where he belongs?" asked Sirius. Harry looked uncertain but finally nodded.
"I'm willing to try. What should I do?" asked Harry.
"Ask Dumbledore to call him to the school. Chat him up. Offer him a million galleons if that's what it takes. You have that to spare. Just don't let that arsehole get away with it this time! He'll buy his way out if he gets the chance," warned Sirius.
Harry looked at his girls. "Whatever you think is right, mon ami," said Gabrielle, supportively.
Hermione had a pinched look on her face. "I hate the thought of it. Justice shouldn't require a payout," she said, sourly.
"But you can't deny it often does with politicians like Fudge," said Tonks, seriously. She looked at Harry. "I think you should do it. If Moody's right and you end up with half the Malfoy fortune, it wouldn't really even cost you anything."
Harry sighed and looked at Moody. He was the person Harry trusted most with this.
"Do it. Best not chance it, lad. Fudge is a fickle bint," spat the auror.
Harry groaned but called for Dobby.
"Dobby? Can you take a note to Dumbledore? Ask him to pass something along to Fudge?" asked Harry.
Dobby saw his master was hurt. He was angry and scared. Someone had hurt his best master? If Harry wanted to get justice on the Minister himself, Dobby would see it done.
"Dobby will be doing," said the elf. Harry sat with Hermione and Gabrielle and wrote the note. Moody read it over and made a change or two, before Harry sent it on.
In less than 15 minutes, Dumbledore sent a request for Harry to join him in his office. Harry looked at his girls.
"Let me walk you back to the dorms first. You need to start getting ready and I don't want to implicate you in these dirty dealings," said Harry, earnestly.
The girls reluctantly agreed. Harry hugged them both. "I trust you to take care of my precious boys. Please, try to be happy tonight. This was supposed to be a fun night for us all. I won't let these evil bastards ruin it for us," Harry said, sincerely. The girls gave him a small smile and left with Tonks. Harry watched them go then called for Dobby again.
"Dobby, please go to Gringotts one more time for me? Bring me two sacks with 500,000 galleons in each one. Hurry, if you can," said the boy. Dobby saluted and popped away.
Harry hugged Sirius and started for the Headmaster's office. Moody followed Harry out the door.
Harry arrived outside the Headmaster's tower just as Dobby returned. He looked disgruntled.
"The goblinses say that you should not be spending so quickly. They want to be investing your new gold before you be spending it," said Dobby.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry. Dobby handed Harry an account statement. Harry almost choked. Harry's account balance had increased by almost 120 million galleons and four properties from the Malfoy holdings. He also received an additional 450,000 galleons from the other death eaters but it was nothing compared to what he'd earned from the Malfoy coffers.
Harry shoved the statement into his pocket and took the two bags of gold. Harry took a deep breath and started up the staircase, Moody following close behind him.
When they got to the top, Moody opened the door and looked inside. Only the Headmaster and Minister Fudge waited within.
"Harry, my boy! Come on in! Please, come on in!" said Fudge, jubilantly. The man looked downright giddy. "I understand you'd like to make a campaign donation? A substantial one?" asked the man. He winked at Harry. Harry fought not to roll his eyes.
"Yes, sir. Please, if we may?" Harry said. Fudge looked nervously at Moody. Moody gave the man an evil look and stepped back outside, shutting the door behind him. Fudge relaxed and turned a happy smile on Harry.
Harry walked in and sat down. Dumbledore looked at him somewhat disapprovingly. Harry stared back. Dumbledore sighed and looked away. Dumbledore would like to see justice stand on its own but he knew that was unlikely with Fudge at the helm. Dumbledore already knew part of the bad news that awaited Harry. If Harry had to pay Fudge off to keep more injustice from being served, so be it.
"Yes, my boy," said Fudge. Harry's brows furrowed. He hated it when people called him that. It reminded him of his Uncle Vernon. The only person who could say it without sounding like a condescending arse was Dumbledore. "I think a small donation, then we can talk?" said the man, wheedlingly. Harry did roll his eyes this time. He called 25,000 galleons out of one of the bags and siphoned them into Fudge's waiting bowler hat. Fudge laughed joyously as he watched the galleons flow. The hat swallowed it all. Fudge replaced the hat on his head and looked at Harry, attentively.
"You have my ear, my boy," said the man, magnanimously. Harry fought not to scowl.
"You've spoken to the DMLE?" asked Harry. Fudge looked uncomfortable.
"Yes, yes, I've heard what they found. There are a few different ways to interpret the evidence," said Fudge, hedging.
"Yes, well, what isn't in doubt is that Lucius Malfoy used Ron Weasley to try to kidnap my sons," Harry said, angrily. Fudge winced.
"Poor Lucius. He claims he was under the imperius curse. He's susceptible, you see. Of course, Madam Bones already assessed the fine. Lucius plans to appeal to the Wizengamot…" trailed off Fudge. Harry might be a teenager but he looked scary with his hair moving in an invisible wind and his eyes glowing green. Harry called 25,000 more galleons out of his money bag to stack itself on Dumbledore's desk.
"I'd like to see that argument fail. It's preposterous. Who does he claim had him under the imperius curse this time?" asked Harry.
Fudge looked at the stack of money with greed in his eyes. He swept the money into his hat before he answered.
"Walden McNair. I've already had the bastard kissed. Pettigrew, too," said Fudge, like he expected Harry to be happy about that. Harry gasped.
"What? Did you even question him first?" asked Harry, in a panic. If Pettigrew was gone, there was little hope for Sirius to be set free.
"Yes, of course. He must have been under the imperius curse, too. He was talking some tosh about Sirius Black being innocent. We all know that isn't true. Why, I'm starting to think Black was behind the whole thing," said the Minister, perking right up. That would put a neat bow on things. Harry was so angry, he thought he might burst.
Dumbledore cut in to save Harry from a treasonous murder.
"Surely you don't believe that, Minister. Sirius Black hasn't been seen in almost a year," said the Headmaster.
Fudge looked uncertain. "I just don't know what else it could be. Such dark dealings. Poor Lucius," said the fumbling Minister. Harry could see the man rubbing his fingers together like he was counting coins.
Harry decided not to beat around the bush. "How much is it going to take?"
The Minister jumped. "What?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"What's Malfoy offering you to set him free without a trial?" asked Harry, a hard edge to his voice.
Fudge stared at Harry for a minute then decided to play ball. "250,000 galleons."
Fudge knew Lucius couldn't offer more. His liquid assets had almost all been paid to Harry. He'd need a few weeks to come up with more cash.
"I'll double it if you can make sure he sees trial tomorrow. An extra 100,000 if you make sure he's put under veritaserum," said Harry. Fudge licked his lips.
"I'm not sure…" said the man.
"600,000 galleons. 300,000 today and 300,000 tomorrow after the trial. Plus a 150,000 bonus if he's put under veritaserum," said Harry.
Fudge practically salivated. Lucius hadn't paid the man that much in the past 15 years. It would be enough for Fudge to retire. He decided to try for a bit more.
"I don't know. There's five death eaters left. They could all take the fall but poor Lucius. He's a personal friend," said the greedy man.
Harry rolled his eyes. "450,000 today, 500,000 tomorrow. That includes the bonus. Last offer. If you say no, I'm going to pay the press off instead. I'll show them my memories and let them take pictures. Of this meeting, too," spat Harry. Fudge paled.
That would be a serious problem. Even setting Lucius free again would be a real hit to Fudge's campaign. He was up for reelection in December. If the public saw something like this, if they knew Fudge had played ball with a death eater who meant to kidnap two innocent babies, it would be real trouble.
Fudge licked his lips and looked at Dumbledore. If he couldn't have Lucius' advice, he'd need Dumbledore's.
"I would take the donation, Cornelius. If you're shown to be tough on death eaters, it would look very good, wouldn't it?" asked the manipulative man. "If you let death eaters go who attempted to kidnap the boy-who-lived's heirs, well, how would that look?"
Fudge paled. That wouldn't look very good at all. Harry stared at the man, his eyes burning.
"Four hundred and fifty thousand galleons right now, you say?" Fudge asked. Harry nodded once, hard.
"You make sure Lucius Malfoy and the other death eaters get a truly fair trial, with veritaserum, and sign a statement that you have reviewed my children's placement and find I am a fit and adequate father. You'll get an additional 950,000 galleons," said Harry, his voice devoid of emotion. Harry remembered the threat of Dolores Umbridge. If he was paying, he'd make sure to cut that cunt off at the knees, too.
Fudge glanced at Dumbledore again, then nodded firmly. "That sounds fair. I agree to accept your donation," said Fudge. Dumbledore wasn't taking any chances. He had been writing the entire time Harry and Fudge chatted. He slid three sheets of parchment before Fudge.
Fudge glanced down and pulled at his collar, sweat starting to appear on his forehead. "A magically binding contract?" asked Fudge, in a high pitched voice.
"Just to make sure everything remains as we've discussed," said Dumbledore, pleasantly. Fudge looked at Harry. The boy looked so angry, Fudge knew he'd follow through with the press if Fudge pushed it. He decided to abandon his plan of double crossing Harry. Fudge laughed nervously and signed without really reading. Dumbledore's eyes glinted triumphantly. In just a few moments, it was done. Harry handed over the sack of gold with 450,000 galleons in it. Fudge quickly counted. He smiled like the Madonna must have smiled at her newborn son.
"Excellent! It was wonderful doing business with you, Harry," said the now grinning Minister. He shook Harry's hand, nodded at Dumbledore, and disappeared through the flames.
Harry stood up and started to pace, angrily. "He screwed Sirius out of justice, again!"
Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head. "It's not as dire as it seems," said the Headmaster. He pushed the paperwork at Harry. Harry almost refused to look. Dumbledore nodded at the contracts. Harry rolled his eyes and looked at the parchment.
The first sheet was exactly what Harry expected. The magical contract between Harry and Fudge, capturing their agreement. Harry would donate 950,000 galleons to Fudge's 1995 campaign. In exchange, Fudge would make sure that the death eaters received a trial before the Wizengamot that included the application of veritaserum to all of the accused.
The second sheet was the statement Harry requested. Fudge attested to the fact that Harry had been investigated by the Ministry and was found to be a fit and adequate father. The last was something Harry didn't expect. He gasped when he saw it.
"Is this what I think it is?" Harry asked, hope blooming in his heart.
"It is," agreed Dumbledore. "It's a record of Peter Pettigrew's questioning under veritaserum, already signed by Madam Bones and Alastair Moody, and now also signed by Cornelius Fudge himself. I think this will go a long way towards proving Sirius' innocence before the ICW and the French Ministry," said a smiling Dumbledore. Harry shouted in joy. Everything wasn't going his way but this was a real boon.
Dumbledore took the paperwork and signed it all himself as a witness, in his capacity as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. He waved his wand and several copies appeared.
"I'll make sure these are all filed in the appropriate places, shall I?" asked a twinkle-eyed Headmaster.
Harry grinned and took the copies Dumbledore handed to him. Even the contract with Fudge literally purchasing justice was completely legal. In a hilarious turn of events, Lucius Malfoy had been the one to get this law quietly passed. As long as the contract only asked for justice and not for a specific outcome, it was all in the clear.
Harry wanted to hug the Headmaster. Dumbledore grinned and stepped around his desk, giving the poor boy a gentle squeeze.
Harry pulled back quickly, uncomfortable with physical affection from most people.
Harry grinned at Dumbledore. "You're a wonder," the boy said. Dumbledore winked.
"Just looking out for your interests, my boy, as I always try to do," said the man, humbly. "Go on now, you have a ball to prepare for."
Harry nodded and headed for the door. He couldn't help but look back one more time and smile at the wily old man. Dumbledore laughed happily and waved goodbye.
Harry hurried back to his dorm, a spring in his step. Moody followed, wondering what had made the boy, who was so angry when he went into that room, so happy when he came out.
It was almost 4pm. Harry didn't have much time to get ready himself. He hurried to eat a small snack and kiss his babies, who were swinging outside with their Pop-pop. Dan expected Harry to be a sour sack after what he'd heard about today. He was pleasantly surprised to find the boy a grinning fool.
"This is certainly an unexpected surprise," said Dan, returning the grin. Harry kissed his boys and blew a little raspberry on their necks, causing them to giggle and swing their arms wildly.
"Yes, my meeting with the Minister went better than I had reason to hope," said the grinning boy. "I'll have a little meeting to attend in the morning before we head out, but I think it'll be worth the delay."
"Do tell?" said Dan, interestedly. Emma came outside followed by Tonks. The auror was already dressed in her finest Auror robes. She looked a sight in her dress-reds.
"Wotcher, Harry?" asked Tonks, looking at the boy who she expected to be angry and depressed all night. Harry laughed.
"The Minister signed a contract. Lucius Malfoy and the others will have a trial before the full Wizengamot in the morning at 7am. They'll all be getting veritaserum," he grinned.
Tonks whopped in joy. Moody hated to give the boy bad news but he felt he needed to know about Pettigrew.
"I hate to tell ye, lad, but Pettigrew's been kissed," said the auror, as gently as he could. Harry just laughed again and handed over the documents that Fudge had signed. Moody's eyes went so wide, his magical eye almost popped right out.
"That barmy idiot. Did he even read these? I know he wouldn't have signed this if he had," said Moody. Harry snorted and shook his head.
"Not a chance. The dummy just signed. The gold was already on the table. He wasn't going to pass it up," said Harry. Moody passed the documents around for everyone else to read. Tonks laughed so hard, she almost fell over.
"That moron. He's hung himself out to dry, hasn't he?" she asked. Harry nodded happily.
"He certainly has," said the boy, in satisfaction.
Emma smiled gently at the crafty boy. "Best go get ready, son. Your ladies will be down shortly," said Emma.
Harry was so joyful, he hugged her and kissed her cheek. Emma chuckled and patted his face. "Go on now," she said, shooing him away.
Harry hurried off to his rooms to get dressed. He showered, shaved his barely there stubble, and freshened himself up in every way. He put on his robes and laughed at what he saw. His robes were red and gold with a large gold Hogwarts crest on the back. Harry shook his head at the flash and checked his watch. Only 10 minutes until he needed to go get the photographer. He hurried down to get Moody and Tonks to come with him.
Even Moody had freshened up and put on his dress robes. He looked a little grumpy about it but he didn't actively complain.
"Are the girls down yet?" asked Harry. Tonks grinned and shook her head.
"They'll be ready by the time we get back with the photographer," said Tonks, her eyes twinkling.
Harry shook his head and turned to Moody, who was rolling his eyes at the fact that it'd taken these girls over three hours to get ready.
"Ready?" Harry asked Moody and Tonks. They nodded and walked out with Harry, one in front and one behind. They weren't taking any more chances with Potter or his kids.
They made their way through the Gryffindor Common Room. Only the unlucky first through third years who hadn't been invited to attend the ball waited in the common room. Even if they couldn't go, they still wanted to see everyone off. They all looked so forlorn, Harry decided to do something nice for the little rugrats.
As soon as they made their way out to the hallway, Harry called for Dobby.
"Dobby?" he said. The elf popped into the room.
"Yes, Mr. Harry, sir?" asked the attentive elf.
"How many kids won't be going to the ball?
Dobby thought for a moment, "That would be being about 150 students per common room," Dobby answered.
"Could you get 120 pizzas, 60 cases of butterbeer, and 50 gallons of ice cream with all the fixings for each common room? Make sure you leave a good tip," said Harry.
Dobby grinned and did his weird little head slapping salute. Harry shook his head and turned to go down to the entrance hall. Moody and Tonks were staring at him.
"What?" asked Harry, checking his robes to make sure he hadn't ripped a hole in them that showed his bum or something.
"You're insane," said Moody flatly.
"You're a saint," laughed Tonks. Harry rolled his eyes at them both.
"I just know what it feels like to be left out. I figure, might as well spend that Malfoy gold on something that would bug them if they knew," said Harry, flippantly.
Tonks laughed again. Even Moody smiled. He might think Harry was barmy but he could appreciate the sentiments.
Harry stopped for a minute to think. He decided to call for Winky, "Winky?" he called.
She popped into the hallway. "Yes, Mr. Harry?" she asked.
"Could you go to my vaults and get 10,000 galleons each and deliver it to the International Magical, the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and the Wizarding Wireless? Tell them there's going to be an interesting trial at 7am tomorrow morning at the Wizengamot. Tell them this is a bonus for them to cover it as fairly and accurately as they can?" asked Harry.
Winky nodded. "Winky can be doing, sir," she said. Then, she popped away.
Harry looked at the aurors with a smile in his eyes. "Might as well make sure no one misses the fun, eh?"
Moody laughed and Tonks literally fell over in her mirth. Harry grinned cheekily and hurried to lead the way to the entrance hall.