oooOOOoooOOOooo Chapter 35
Harry wrinkled his nose at the familiar smell of hospital. He tried to lift his head but gasped in horrendous pain when his brain nearly exploded. Harry cried out in pain.
"Harry? Can you hear me, son? Sit up and drink this potion," said the soothing voice of Jean Claude.
Harry opened his mouth and lifted his head a bit. Jean Claude poured two potions in quick succession down Harry's throat. Harry hiccuped as steam shot out of his ears. In just a moment, his brain was no longer in pain. He sat up gingerly and accepted the glass of water Jean Claude pushed into his hands.
Harry sipped through the straw and then handed the glass back to Jean Claude. The door behind the man opened and Gabrielle and Hermione entered the room.
"Mon amour!" cried Gabrielle.
"My darling!" cried Hermione. They both dived towards Harry. He caught the crying, laughing girls in his arms.
"You're awake! You're finally awake!" cried Gabrielle.
"How long have I been asleep?" asked a concerned Harry.
"It has been 10 days, son," said Jean Claude, seriously. It was the last thing anyone said for the next half hour. The healers descended on Harry, putting him through a battery of tests. Now that the headache was gone, Harry could say that he'd never felt better in his entire life.
"I'm fine," he huffed.
The healers conferred with one another then turned back to the people in the room.
"He does seem to be fine. The magical exhaustion has faded. If he can eat and have a bowel movement, we'll let him go home after dinner," said the lead Healer.
Harry looked relieved. Hermione peppered the doctors with questions about their tests.
Harry's family filtered in and out of the room, bringing joy and happiness to the lad who just wanted to go home. Dumbledore had already gone back to England. Harry didn't want to have to go back at all.
The healer's finally released Harry and let him go home for the night. It was a Friday. Everyone agreed Harry would go back to Hogwarts on Sunday night. He dreaded the trip.
He looked at himself in the mirror on his last morning with his family in France. He studied his own face. The pale sickly look that had always clung to him was fading. The scar on his head was a barely discernible line whereas it used to be a thick rope of tissue. His eyes looked more clear and he found himself only needing his glasses when he read.
He screwed up his eyes and tried to reach for Voldemort as hard as he could. Harry felt nothing. He relaxed and let out a deep breath. The bastard was truly gone.
Harry walked over to his lads' nursery and went inside. They were sitting up, babbling to one another in their own secret language. They looked up when he opened their door.
"Hello lads," said Harry with a smile.
"Da!" cried the boys. They lifted their hands and started signing for their brooms. Harry laughed.
"After you eat breakfast, Da will take you for a fly," said the grinning Harry.
His boys cried out, "Fifififi!"
Harry got his boys ready for the day and took them down to breakfast. Dan and Emma were the only ones down so far. Harry settled the boys in their highchairs and got them some food before he settled in for his own meal. Dan and Emma smiled to see the young father so attentive to the needs of his children.
"I got something for you," said Dan. He handed Harry a lock box. Harry took the box and opened it. It had a holster with a beretta 9mm in it.
"Strap it under your robes and keep it handy. The game's afoot now, lad. If you come across your enemy, end him," said Dan in a hard voice. Harry stroked a finger over the thing. He remembered everything Dan had taught him about the firearm. Harry slipped it on under his robes immediately. Dan nodded his approval.
"It won't be long now. He always comes for me at the end of the year. If he doesn't try to get me during the third task, it'll be directly afterwards," said Harry, grimly.
"Then you only have a few weeks to wait," said Dan, coldly. "I know you'll succeed."
"Just be careful, Harry. We'd be lost without you," said Emma, worriedly. "Keep your security close."
"Keep my ladies safe without me," said an agitated Harry. He didn't want to leave without his girls. Not again.
"It won't be for long," reassured Dan. Harry nodded miserably.
The girls came into the room and hugged Harry. They sat with him and spent as much time as possible with him and the baby boys all morning long. Everyone else gave the small family some space as they spent their last moments together.
Harry stood when it was time to leave, a sad look on his face as he looked at his ladies, holding his laddies.
"I love you. All of you," said Harry. He included every single person there in that statement. Everyone felt anxious to see the young lord leave their safe space once more.
The girls hugged and kissed Harry again. Harry kissed his boys and promised to see them again real soon.
"We've got to go, kid," said Moody. Harry sighed. He reached his hand back to touch the portkey but didn't look away from Hermione, Gabrielle, Julius, and Jameson.
With a flash, they were gone.
Harry arrived back in Hogsmeade. It was a good thing he'd already learned his lesson about this place. He dodged upon landing, as did Moody and Bill, who pulled Fleur with him. Kingsley was waiting for them on the Platform. He returned fire from the unseen assailant.
The spellfire stopped as quickly as it started. Harry, Moody, Fleur, Bill, and Kingsley stayed behind cover for several minutes, then moved to check the perimeter.
"I don't see anyone," said Harry.
"Maybe it was a cheap shot," murmured Moody. His eyes kept skimming the area surrounding them.
"Or someone was expecting us," said Harry. Moody guaranteed his agreement.
The group walked cautiously towards Hogwarts, sticking close together and scanning what they considered hostile territory continuously.
They finally made it into the castle and up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Harrykins! Brother Bill!" called the twins together as one. Harry turned and looked at the tricksters.
"Fred, George. Good to see you, mates. Hey, Angelina," said Harry. The girl was standing between the two Weasleys.
"Hey, Harry," said Angelina.
"Where have you been?" asked Fred.
"I was in hospital," said Harry, frowning.
Fred and George exchanged a look.
"What happened?" they asked as one.
"Voldemort," said Harry. He turned and led the way into his rooms. People tried to get his attention as he walked through the Common Room but the only person Harry waved past his security was Neville.
Neville, Fred, George, and Angelina followed Harry, Fleur, Bill, Moody, and Kingsley down to his rooms and into his travel trunk. Harry walked right past Narcissa and didn't even acknowledge her. He didn't notice her suspicious look when she saw Harry return.
"Can you tell us what happened now?" asked Fred.
"I defeated Voldemort, basically," said Harry.
"The horcruxes are gone?" asked George.
"They are. Now all I have to do is wait for that limey bastard to show his face and he's toast," said Harry, viciously.
"We want to help," said Fred and George.
Harry was thinking hard about it. How could he capture the death eaters too?
"I need to research something," said Harry, frustratedly.
"Where's Hermione when you need her, eh?" asked Neville, trying to joke. Harry frowned sadly.
"Yeah," said Harry.
Neville felt bad. "We can help you research," said Fleur.
Harry sighed. He hated research. "Fine. Let's go to the library," said a beleaguered Harry.
The group went to the library and settled around the table. They didn't notice Narcissa, walking through the stacks, silent as a ghost.
"I want to research the dark mark," said Harry.
"Why?" asked Moody, gruffly.
"I want to find a way to take down the death eaters, too," said Harry.
Everyone could agree with a goal like that.
Dumbledore called Harry up to his office a few weeks after the Trois Amants Purifier ritual was completed. Harry still felt fit to burst from the emotions he had felt during the lovemaking between himself, Hermione, and Gabrielle. Sex with Luna had been enjoyable but making love with his beloveds was euphoric. Harry missed them so much, it was like missing a limb.
When Harry arrived in Dumbledore's office, Elphias Doge was waiting for him. Harry scowled.
"What does the Ministry want now?" asked Harry.
Elphias looked at Harry with humor. "They've finally been granted a hearing date. They asked for the hearing to be expedited. France supported the motion, so it's being done. I hate to say it but your hearing is in three days."
"Three days! Will you be ready by then?" asked a fretting Bill.
"I've been preparing for months, even if the actual event is a fast surprise," said Elphias.
"What do we need to do?" asked Harry, seriously.
"Should we call Jean Claude?" asked Moody.
"That might be a good idea," said Albus. "Perhaps call the avocats that represent you in France, too?"
Harry took out his mirror and called Jean Claude and Lya. They both answered the mirrors that the entire family had started carrying during these dangerous times.
"Harry?" asked Lya.
"What is it, son?" asked Jean Claude.
"Do you both have a moment? My law wizard, Elphias Doge, has news. The ICW will hear my case in three days' time," said Harry.
Lya turned and talked to someone over her shoulder. The mirror flew up and expanded to fill half the room. Harry could see Lya and her junior attorneys.
Jean Claude looked determined. "France will fight the cowardly English request. Even if we lose, we will not provide them with you or your children."
"You won't have to go that far," soothed Elphias. "We have an excellent case that the ICW judiciary committee bore first-hand witness to."
"That's true," said Lya with a confident smirk. "The English Ministry is full of fools and wastrels."
"Can't argue with that," said Moody in a smooth voice. Lya's assistants looked up in interest. Moody scowled attractively.
"What do we need to do?" asked Jean Claude.
"Let's schedule a meeting between myself and Harry's other law wizards for tomorrow. We'll review the evidence and witness lists. Then, Harry and I will meet the next day to practice questioning. That will leave us Monday to take care of any lingering problems before the hearing on Tuesday," said Elphias.
"Perfect," agreed Jean Claude. "If you do not need me any longer, I will return to my meeting. Do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I may do."
"Will do," said Elphias. Jean Claude dropped off the call. Harry listened to Elphias and Lya shoot fast questions at one another for fifteen more minutes before the call ended.
Harry was agitated. He wanted to call Dan and Emma to make certain Harry's lads and his ladies were safe and well.
"Harry, everything will work out in your favor," said Albus, gently.
"The law is truly on your side," said Kingsley.
Harry grumped. "That's never stopped the Ministry from coming after me."
No one could argue with that.
The next few days passed in a blur as Harry was pulled into endless questioning and reviewing of documents so he would be familiar with them.
The day of the hearing finally dawned. Harry woke in his bed, eager to leave for his trial. He would see Julius and Jameson today. He would see Hermione and Gabrielle as soon as he arrived. Harry suddenly couldn't wait to leave.
Harry hurried out of the loo and down to his dining room. Everyone was already waiting for him, including Elphias, Lya, and her team.
"I won't let those bastards get away with this," declared Harry, angrily.
"Too right. We'll hide your children before we let those vile boils on the arse of civilization have them," said Lya, viciously.
"It won't happen. We have an excellent case and a fair judge. We'll see this put to rest today," said Elphias.
Narcissa sat quietly and didn't speak. She often sat silently with this group, being as unobtrusive yet ubiquitous as possible.
Harry didn't say anything. He was tired of people targeting others to hurt him.
The group, minus Narcissa, moved to take the portkey. The trial would take place in Germany, a neutral place with no particular affiliation with either France or England. Everyone moved to take their places as the court clerk rose and called them all to order.
"Hear ye, hear ye. All rise. This session of the International Confederation of Wizards has begun!" called the court clerk. She left a few minutes for the ICW members and the public to move into place. As soon as everyone was quiet, she announced the judiciary council.
"Today before you presiding over this hearing of the ICW Judiciary Committee is Committee Head the Honorable Nibila Mondegari, the Honorable Jacob Nickels, the Honorable Estephanie Rodriguez, the Honorable Benjamin Daan, and the Honorable Lim Bigan. Please be seated," said the court clerk after the judges had taken their seats.
Committee Head Mondegari spoke first. "Today we hear an expedited emergency petition from the United Kingdom in regards to two minor children and an emancipated minor. These three people are citizens of the United Kingdom but they have also been granted asylum in France, which the two minor children have invoked. The emancipated minor still attends school in the United Kingdom for this school year but has also invoked asylum with France. France has already accepted and approved the petitions for asylum put forth by all of these minor children," said the woman. She continued.
"The United Kingdom seeks three things. 1) To overturn the grant of asylum to emancipated minor Lord Harry James Potter Black Slytherin Gryffindor Peverell and his minor children Heir Charlus Jameson Potter IV and Heir Julius Sirius Black; 2) to remand the minor children known as Heir Potter and Heir Black to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic; and 3) to remand the emancipated minor Lord Harry James Potter Black Slytherin Gryffindor Peverell to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic for the administration of justice for kidnapping his minor children by refusing to remand them to proper, legally determined custody. Petitioners, please rise and give your opening statement."
Cornelius Fudge himself stood in his ridiculous bowler hat and his lime green suit.
"This boy, Harry Potter, is a known liar. He is known to suffer from delusions. He is a 14 year old boy! He's no father. He is a citizen of the United Kingdom. We demand he and the children he kidnapped be returned to the United Kingdom immediately. We will make sure the right thing happens in regards to all three of them," said Minister Fudge. He gave Harry a vicious look. Then, he looked back at the judges, expectantly.
"Do you have anything else, petitioner Fudge?" asked an unimpressed Committee Head Mondegari.
Fudge looked at her disbelievingly. "You're not actually going to entertain their lies, are you?"
"We follow proper judicial procedure in the ICW," said a stern Committee Member Nickels.
"But we shouldn't even be here! These are citizens of the United Kingdom. I'll do with them as I see fit!" cried Fudge.
Committee Member Lim looked at him with cold disdain. "Yes. That is the way of the United Kingdom, is it not? Justice is not your main goal, as we have seen through our investigations into your detention and execution practices," hissed Committee Member Lim.
Fudge tried to bluster but Committee Head Mondegari shut him down. "No more of this. We will follow proper procedure. If the petitioner has no more to say, we will hear from the respondents," said Mondegari.
"Preposterous!" shouted a panicking Fudge. He knew he couldn't win a fair trial.
"Sit or we will make you," said Committee Member Daan with a glint of hopeful glee in his eyes. He wanted to see the peacekeepers put Fudge in his place. Literally.
Fudge glowered but he did as he was told.
Lya and Elphias stood up. They both looked sharp in custom-cut robes and designer cloaks. They started talking, playing off of each other perfectly.
Elphias spoke first. "Lord Harry James Potter Black Slytherin Gryffindor Peverell is a peer of the realm. In the United Kingdom, that presents him with certain privileges and many responsibilities. One privilege that is presented to him is that he can become emancipated, take up his lordship, and become head of house for all of the peerages he holds, as long as he is at least 13 years old. Lord Potter, as he prefers to be called, has a birthdate of July 31, 1980. This date is common knowledge, but we present you with a copy of his birth certificate now."
"Objection!" yelled Fudge.
Committee Head Mondegari gave him the stink eye but he spoke anyway.
"That information is false. Harry Potter is not a peer of the realm. I revoked all of his peerages this morning," said Fudge.
"That would be an impossible and illegal move," said Elphias flatly. "The Charter for Wizarding Sovereignty allows only one provision for removing a peerage, once it is granted. If a person is convicted of treason by a vote of at least ⅗ of the entire Wizengamot. No such trial has occurred."
Mondegari looked at Fudge. "Has such a trial occurred?"
Fudge looked nervous. "I can get you a record of the trial within the hour."
"We will accept your memory of the trial now," said Committee Member Rodriguez.
"No!" cried Fudge.
"Why not?" asked a belligerent Committee Member Nickels.
"My word should be good enough. He's on trial here, not me!" cried Fudge.
"You may yet have your day in court here, sir," growled Committee Member Daan.
Fudge swallowed hard.
"If I may your honor, even if the feckless Ministry of Magic in the United Kingdom broke their own laws to withdraw a duly issued peerage, we would make two arguments. First, the peerages were in place at the time Lord Potter became emancipated; second, the Ministry of Magic in France has recognized Lord Potter's peerages. They are still validly and truly held. I have documentation here," said Lya. She waved her wand and paperwork flew out everywhere.
"The French don't get to say who has English peerages!" cried Fudge.
Committee Head Mondegari ignored him. She read the paperwork. "Objection overruled. Please continue, respondents."
Elphias and Lya smirked. Fudge's face turned red in embarassed anger. Fudge tried to argue but he was silenced.
"If I may continue," smirked Elphias. "Lord Potter is not only a validly emancipated minor, he is also the biological and legal father of both Julius and Jameson, his six month old sons. We have proof of their family tree and of the paperwork provided by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic stating that after careful review, Harry Potter was found to be a fit and adequate father. This paperwork was signed by Ministry Cornelius Fudge himself."
"I didn't know he let his children spend time with dark wizards and lycanthropes when I signed it," said Fudge angrily.
"Do not shout out in my courtroom, sir. You will raise a proper objection or stay silent. Did you sign this documentation?" thundered Mondegari.
"I did, but…" said Fudge.
Mondegari cut him off. "Don't but me, sir. You are a government official of the highest order who signed off on a review of significance and importance. If you did so incompetently, I think that would be within the expectation of the ICW."
Fudge's face turned puce. He looked sick and angry enough to pop.
Mondegari addressed the ICW members. "You will ignore that outburst. Sirius Black has been adjudicated by this very body as an innocent man. It is not illegal on a country or international level to allow a child to be near a lycanthrope when it is not the full moon. Their affliction is a disease of which the spread can be, and often is, prevented."
"That's disgusting," said Fudge. "Black was a death eater and a murderer. He tricked you all into setting him free!"
"You doubt the competence of this judiciary?" asked Lim in a threatening voice.
"If you believe liars like Potter and Black, I certainly do!" shouted Fudge.
"That will cost you a sanction of 1,000 galleons. We do not tolerate anyone undermining this august body during a session," said Rodriguez.
"Enough. One more outburst and we will dismiss your request," said Mondegari to Fudge. Fudge looked angry but he didn't say anything else.
Mondegari gave him a hard look. Then, she turned back to Elphias and Lya. "Please, respondents, continue. This court apologizes for the many irregularities brought on by the petitioners."
"Thank you, Committee Head Mondegari," said Lya. "As you can see, the Ministry of Magic of the United Kingdom is out to get our client. They do not care about railroading Lord Potter's rights as a peer of the realm. They do not care about railroading his rights as a father. We have seen that the UK Ministry of Magic means Lord Potter harm," said Lya.
"The Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Dolores Umbridge, sent dementors into the Minister of Magic's home in France with the express purpose of kissing Lord Potter for embarrassing the UK Minster, Cornelius Fudge, who stands before you today. Lord Potter was threatened with the dementor's kiss once more by the Minister of Magic while Lord Potter was speaking with the Head for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for the UK," said Elphias.
"Further, Lord Potter's family has been attacked multiple times. His children have been threatened by both Undersecretary Umbridge and by Department of Wizarding Family Services, Guila Edgecombe. Both members of the government of the UK threatened to send Lord Potter's children to separate homes where discipline would be harshly applied. Lord Potter's cousin and godfather, Sirius Black, was attacked by aurors under the direction of Minister Fudge before the very eyes of this vaunted body. This is why Lord Potter and his children were granted asylum in France. Please allow me to provide you with documentation of that granting," said Lya. She waved her wand and papers flew like attacking birds around the room.
"Lord Potter's houses are recognized in France because of his brave actions in protecting innocent French citizens from the violent actions of the Ministry of Magic of the United Kingdom. Here is the documentation of this situation," said Elphias. He flicked his wand and a giant scroll unrolled, showing the pictures that everyone was already familiar with. Pictures of Harry literally destroying a small group of dementors. People in the public sections broke out in applause. Harry blushed but waved at them all. He welcomed the support, even if it was from the fickle public.
"I object!" shouted Fudge in a panic.
"To what?" asked Mondegari.
"These pictures bias the court. The employee who did this horrendous deed is no longer with the Ministry of the UK. She is in prison where she belongs. I did not give her permission to take such actions," said Fudge.
"Regardless, she used UK Ministry resources and was an authorized employee with the power to do so. She might be in prison, where I agree she belongs, but she was still acting under the direction of the UK Ministry," said Rodriguez. "This court has already ruled on this issue."
"Objection overruled," said Mondegari.
Fudge opened his mouth but he was silenced once more. He scowled instead.
"Petitioners, do you have more to say?" asked an exasperated Mondegari.
"Much more, your honor. We would submit proof that the UK Ministry has not only threatened physical harm to Lord Potter and his family, they have also undertaken a campaign to smear Lord Potter in the papers. They have outrageously blamed the actions of grown adult wizards on a schoolboy. We have here 12 articles with quotes from UK Ministry officials smearing Lord Potter. We have six interdepartmental memos declaring Lord Potter as persona non-grata and two warrants issued for his arrest. One for failure to remand custody of a minor child. One warrant for treason. This warrant offers a 10,000G reward for Lord Potter's capture, whether dead or alive," said Elphias gravely. He flicked his wrist and paperwork fluttered around the room. Another large scroll appeared, showing the wanted poster for Harry, declaring him an enemy of the state.
"Objection!" shouted Fudge. His voice was high pitched and afraid.
"Overruled," spat Mondegari. "We will investigate these claims separately. If you intend to issue a death sentence for a citizen of the United Kingdom without proper trial, we will hold you responsible."
Fudge looked around, desperately. He saw Madam Bones and thought he'd found his salvation.
"She'll support me! Harry Potter did commit treason!" cried Fudge, pointing at Madam Bones.
"Who are you?" asked Lim.
"I am Madame Amelia Bones, Department Head for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the United Kingdom," said the woman.
"Did you issue this warrant?" asked Nickels, staring at the wanted dead or alive poster with disgust.
"I did not. Both of these warrants came from the Office of the Minister, as did the kiss-on-sight order issued for Lord Potter this morning," said the woman. She held another memo out to Elphias. Fudge tried to snatch it first but Elphias was more spry than he appeared. He quickly tapped the order and sent it flying around the room so that all of the ICW members got a copy.
"Again?" thundered Lim. "You yet again rely on these abominations to carry out your dirty work for you?"
Fudge didn't know what to say. He didn't want to implicate himself. "It wasn't me! It was Percy Weatherby who issued the orders! He's the new Undersecretary. I'll see he's fired today!"
Mondegari stared at Fudge with a hard look. "We will investigate this as well. Human rights violations are something this body will not turn a blind eye to."
"This has gone on long enough! Just give me Potter! His children can go hang!" outburst Fudge.
"Sanctions of 10,000G will be applied to the petitioners. I would follow through on my threat to dismiss your case but I believe we are ready to vote now," said Mondegari.
"But I haven't been able to call my witnesses!" called Fudge.
"Who were you planning to call?" asked Daan. "We do not have a witness or evidence list on file for you."
Fudge was sweating. He hadn't prepared anything. He expected the ICW to hand over Potter and his brats with little trouble. It was a foolish belief but Fudge was a fool, so go figure.
"Myself!" said Fudge, in an outburst that he immediately regretted.
Lya grinned like the shark she was.
"As entertaining as that would be, I will not allow it. It is highly irregular for a legal representative to testify," said Mondegari.
"Then, if we may your honor, we ask for the court to issue a summary judgment in favor of our client, Lord Potter. The United Kingdom has no witnesses and no evidence. They only come with threats and demands," said Elphias.
"I concur," said Mondegari. Fudge's mouth fell open in outraged shock.
"You can't do that!" said Fudge.
Mondegari ignored him. She turned to the ICW members seated before her.
"All in favor of summary judgment in favor of France's request to uphold the grant of asylum provided to Lord Harry James Potter Black Slytherin Gryffindor Peverell and his children Heir Charlus Jameson Potter IV and Heir Julius Sirius Black, please vote green. All in favor of continuing this proceeding, please vote orange," said Committee Head Mondegari.
Harry watched as the voting board filled quickly with green marks. It wasn't unanimous but it wasn't far from it. Harry grinned. Committee Head Mondegari turned to Harry.
"This court hereby grants the respondent's request for a summary judgment. We promise you, Lord Potter, we will be looking into the actions of the Ministry of the United Kingdom," said Mondegari, seriously. Harry wanted to snort in derision but instead he inclined his head, like Jean Claude would have done.
Fudge looked ready to pop, he was so angry. He glared at Harry. He looked to the side and found someone he could rely on. No one from Harry's group noticed but Narcissa Malfoy had joined the public viewing area for the trial. Fudge looked relieved to see her. She smiled slightly in an enticing manner. She glanced at Harry's group and her eyes grew cold. Fudge was just glad Narcissa wasn't mad at him for failing to take Potter down like they'd planned.
Harry didn't turn his back on Fudge. He knew the man wasn't above a cheap shot if he got the chance to take one. Harry's family, including Hermione, Gabrielle, Remus, Sirius, and Jean Claude hurried over to Harry. Moody was at his back, ready as always. Kingsley looked more sedate but he was just as ready. Jean Claude's aurors surrounded Harry and his family. No one was taking any chances with the bastard Minister in residence.
"Harry!" cried Hermione. She snatched him up in a tight hug. Harry smiled and returned the squeeze. Gabrielle leaned in and kissed Harry's cheek. Harry felt the upset he'd been feeling all day start to ebb away.
That's when someone attacked.
Harry spun, his basilisk hide cloak coming between the spell and Hermione's back. The aurors threw up shields. Peacekeepers flooded the room. Harry looked in the direction of the spell fire. All he saw was a flash of blonde hair before a large exit door closed.
Aurors ran through the door that had closed. Harry quickly pulled Hermione and Gabrielle behind him, crushing them between himself and Moody, who looked ready to kill. Kingsley ran to chase the aurors that were chasing their perpetrator. ICW peacekeepers flooded everywhere.
"This is bullshite! We're in an international court and one of those British bastards took a shot at me?" asked an angry Harry.
"They just won't stop," said Moody, with his head shaking and his smooth, sexy voice a deep burr of annoyance.
"We'll stop them," said Jean Claude, coldly. "They feel as if they have power but we hand them failure at every turn. Soon, this farce of a tournament shall end. Then, we will destroy your last enemy. Safety will be yours when this task is complete."
Harry didn't look so sure. He glanced at Hermione who was almost hurt again today. She gazed steadily back at him.
"You protected me. I had my basilisk hide items so I would have been protected either way but you protected me, Harry. No one got hurt," soothed Hermione.
Harry scowled but nodded in agreement.
Kingsley came back into the room. "Did they catch the bastards?" asked Moody.
"Whoever it was, they got away," said Kingsley.
"Did they leave any clues at least?" asked an upset Harry.
"Just a portkey trail that seemed to lead to Portugal," said Kingsley.
"Do I even know anyone in Portugal?" asked Harry.
"Not that I know of," said Hermione.
Harry growled in anger. "It wasn't a person from Portugal. It was someone from England. I saw a flash of light blonde hair."
"It could have been any number of people," said Moody.
"Let's go," said Jean Claude. He ushered the group out a side door and into the safety of the French ambassador's office.
He checked over Harry, Hermione, and Gabrielle. They were all well, even if Harry was extremely angry.
"I don't know how to stop an entire government from coming after me," said Harry.
"We are so close now, mon amour. In two weeks, it will be our wedding. Then, just four short weeks after spring break, it will be time for the last event of the Triwizard Tournament," said Gabrielle.
Harry swallowed nervously at the memory of their upcoming wedding. Hermione noticed.
"It's going to be something special. We've been getting everything ready for both weddings," said Hermione.
"Both?" squeaked Harry.
"The mundane wedding and the magical," said Hermione.
"We have a carriage to take us between the two," said Gabrielle, sighing at the romance.
"And then, ten whole days with just us and our families," said Hermione.
Harry relaxed a bit more.
"That does sound nice," said Harry.
"Do you want us to show you what we have planned or do you want it to be a surprise?" asked Hermione.
Harry thought about it. He studied his ladies. They were putting their all into creating this special day for them all.
"If you'd like, I'd prefer for it to be a surprise. I know you'll plan everything perfectly," said Harry.
The girls giggled and put their head on his shoulder.
"Let us go out for dinner to celebrate before you must return to that abominable school," said Jean Claude.
Everyone easily agreed to that.