Order of the Phoenix (canon) continues as it normally does. Harry and Dudley get attacked by dementors, the Ministry sends Harry an owl summoning him to a hearing. (They do not, however, expel him.) The Order rushes him away from Privet Drive. This chapter takes place on the day of Harry's hearing.
Harry entered the office of Amelia Bones. He had been told she was fair and would hear him out. He was nervous, but Mr. Weasley had told him to stay cool, calm, and collected. So he would do his best.
"Mr. Potter, good morning," said the witch sitting at her desk. She indicated a chair opposite her desk. "Have a seat."
Harry sat. He looked around the office. There was a witch sitting next to Amelia taking notes. Her name badge read, "Mafalda Hopkirk". Harry recognized the name from the letter the Ministry sent him.
"Help me to understand why you used a Patronus Charm in Little Whinging," said Madam Bones.
Harry explained. He explained about the dementors showing up. He explained that he had no choice but to defend himself from the dark creatures.
"Dementors?" said Madam Bones sharply. "In Little Whinging? What were two dementors doing down Privet Drive?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure," said Harry.
"Amelia, did any dementors escape from Azkaban when we took over the place and placed it under Ministry control?"
Harry jumped and turned around. Cornelius Fudge had entered the office quietly; Harry hadn't heard him come in.
"Not that I'm aware of," said Madam Bones. Fudge frowned.
"I will have a word with Dolores. Maybe she saw something and failed to report it. But it seems the most likely issue is that the dementors escaped while we were ransacking Azkaban. But why would they target Harry specifically? It seems far-fetched that two dementors would escape Azkaban and just by chance attack Harry Potter of all people."
"I don't think that's what happened, Cornelius," said another familiar voice. Harry's heart leapt. Dumbledore had entered the office, just as quietly as Fudge.
"What are your theories, Professor?" asked Madam Bones interestedly.
"I have several, but unless more dementor attacks occur, I think the most likely explanation is that two dementors escaped and joined Voldemort. He ordered the two he has under his control to attack Harry," said Dumbledore simply. "I find it hard to believe that the two dementors were there by coincidence."
Everyone was silent for a minute. Then Fudge spoke.
"So you think he has control of two dementors?" he asked Dumbledore.
"It is possible," said Dumbledore simply. "I think, Cornelius, that it is time to properly warn the wizarding community. You have not allowed the Daily Prophet to run any stories about any new Ministry policy or why new policies are being implemented. You also have not made any public statements announcing the return of Lord Voldemort."
"I'm aware of that," said Fudge sharply. "Once we announce that he has returned, there will be panic and chaos. I did issue a statement warning the public to be on high alert of dark wizard activity–"
"Yes, but I don't think that will be specific enough," said Dumbledore gently. "I understand you are concerned about causing panic and chaos, but I think it is better to do that now as opposed to when Voldemort grows stronger."
Fudge stared at Dumbledore. Then he sighed. "You are right, of course, Professor," said Fudge. "I will have the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes prepare a statement for both the Daily Prophet and the Muggles. We have kept this quiet long enough; it is time for us to go public with the information we have."
Fudge turned to Madam Bones. "Amelia, I understand this is his third offense of underage magic–"
"No it isn't!" cried Harry.
Everyone looked at him. "Harry, you received an official warning in your second year for the use of a Hover Charm–"
"That wasn't me, that was a house-elf!"
Fudge blinked at him in surprise. "Really? You have everything happen to you, don't you?"
"Well, putting that aside there's also the time you blew up your aunt–"
"An action you forgave, Cornelius," Dumbledore reminded him.
"Yes, I'm aware, Dumbledore," said Fudge curtly. "What I'm trying to say, Harry, is there will be no more warnings or forgiveness. I cannot continue to look the other way when it comes to you. Amelia, my recommendation is to put a note in his file about this and recommend disciplinary action if another instance of underage magic occurs."
Amelia Bones nodded. "I will do so, Mr. Fudge," she said. "Harry, you are cleared of all charges. You may go."
Harry got up and left the room. Mr. Weasley was standing outside the door waiting for him.
"Harry–the Minister of Magic walked in. Is everything ok?"
"Cleared," said Harry, closing the door. "Of all charges!"
This chapter takes place between Harry's trial and the start of the Hogwarts term.
The Daily Prophet reporters gathered around Fudge, Umbridge, Madam Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour, and Arthur Weasley. They had not been given details as to the nature of this announcement; all they had been told was that the Ministry of Magic had a major news story to share with the public, and had invited the reporters into the Atrium of the Ministry to hear it first hand.
"Good evening," said Fudge. He sounded nervous. "We have an announcement to make on behalf of the entire Ministry of Magic. It is our unfortunate position that the wizard calling himself Lord Voldemort is active in the country once more."
Gasps were heard from all of the reporters; a couple of them even fainted. Healers from St. Mungo's Hospital were standing by with potions to help the reporters recover. Once they had done so, and were standing again, Fudge continued on.
"As we previously announced, the Triwizard Tournament took place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry last year. Unfortunately, this tournament claimed the lives of Cedric Diggory, Barty Crouch Sr., Bertha Jorkins, and at least one Muggle. Lord Voldemort, with the help of his servants Barty Crouch Jr. and Peter Pettigrew, used the Triwizard Tournament to bring himself back to life. We have arrested and imprisoned Barty Crouch Jr. for his crimes of kidnapping Alastor Moody and impersonating him for a year. Under this disguise, he successfully infiltrated Hogwarts and helped Lord Voldemort transport Harry Potter and Mr. Diggory directly to a graveyard, where Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew waited for them. They killed Cedric, tied Harry up, and used his blood in a dark magic potion to resurrect himself and grow his body back. Several Death Eaters met Voldemort and Pettigrew at the graveyard. Luckily, Harry managed to escape, but only just."
The reporters started shouting questions at Fudge. Fudge ignored them.
"Before giving this statement, the Ministry wanted to confirm these events. We questioned Harry Potter and Barty Crouch Jr. under the influence of Veritaserum. We have arrested and imprisoned Barty Crouch Jr. We have also arrested and imprisoned all Death Eaters who showed up to the graveyard, and have searched their homes for dark objects. All objects have been confiscated. At this time, we believe Voldemort has one active Death Eater: Peter Pettigrew. Anyone with information leading to his arrest and imprisonment is urged to come forward. We have reason to believe Mr. Pettigrew is an unregistered Animagus, taking the form of a rat."
"What gives you this belief?" asked one bewildered Daily Prophet reporter.
"Testimony from multiple eyewitnesses shows that Mr. Pettigrew had been seen transforming several times over the course of the last few years," said Fudge.
"What about Sirius Black?" asked the reporter.
"To Sirius Black: on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, we beg your forgiveness. We ask that you come forward to register yourself as an Animagus, and from this day forth live as a free man. I hereby pardon Mr. Black of all crimes he had been accused of. No trial was ever given in the matter of Sirius Black, which I believe to be a serious (pun intended) injustice. Again, we offer full apologies to Mr. Black."
The reporters were dumbfounded. Fudge could tell there would be discussion of this for several weeks, if not months, once the news had settled.
"We understand how life-changing this news is for the wizarding community. We urge all wizards and witches to practice the utmost of caution moving forward. The Ministry recommends practicing several defensive spells and enchantments, including the Shield Charm, Disillusionment Charm, Fidelius Charm, and any other form of defense you can use to defend yourself. Be vigilant; we do not know the whereabouts of Voldemort or Peter Pettigrew.
We also have reason to believe he will be trying to recruit the giants and werewolves. The Ministry is sending word to those magical populations to convince them not to join him again. We will be granting equal rights to werewolves and giants under my new Emergency Decree No. 23: "From this point forward, no business or magical entity may discriminate for employment based on one's status as werewolf, giant, or so-called 'half-breed.' We invite all individuals, regardless of background, to apply for open positions within the Ministry of Magic."
Dolores Umbridge looked extremely offended at Fudge's words and even backed away from him. However, no one noticed this; all eyes were upon Fudge.
"The Ministry has taken additional precautions," continued Fudge. "We take the safety and security of the magical population seriously. We have reason to believe some of the dementors of Azkaban have joined forces with Voldemort and have therefore contained the remaining dementors within Azkaban prison. Dolores Umbridge," he nodded in Umbridge's direction. She quickly painted a fake smile on her face. "Has been named Warden of Azkaban and is in charge of day-to-day operations and security of the prison. Should anyone notice dementor activity, please contact the Auror Office at once."
"We have also enhanced security of the Ministry itself to prevent Voldemort's spies from being allowed access, and we are placing an Auror at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to serve as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The Ministry is taking this step to ensure new students have access to a comprehensive curriculum of defensive magic; we want all students trained successfully in defensive magic to ensure we continue to have highly qualified Aurors and Ministry personnel in future years. We do not know how long this war will go on."
"At this time, we will not be divulging further information, as we do not want the enemy to learn of our policies, but know that the Ministry has taken every precaution in securing the safety and well-being of the wizarding community. We will not be taking questions. Thank you for your time."
Fudge, Umbridge, Madam Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour, and Mr. Weasley left the Atrium, entered the lift, and went down to level one: Minister of Magic and Support Staff.
"Well, that could have been worse," said Madam Bones. She sounded relieved.
"Yes, but it also could have been better," said Rufus Scrimgeour.
"Do you think I gave away too much?" asked Fudge uncertainly.
"No," said Rufus. "The public wants to know that we are taking this threat seriously. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is bound to find out some things on his own; we cannot keep everything from him. But the public must be informed. That is our duty as Ministry staff."
"Hem, hem" said Umbridge.
"Yes, Dolores?" asked Fudge.
"Minister, it seems so silly of me but it sounds as though you want to give those filthy half-breeds equal rights to us!" She laughed. No one laughed with her.
"You are correct, Dolores. And don't call them half-breeds; they are part of the magical population just the same as we all are."
Dolores looked as though she had been slapped across the face. Arthur and Amelia were looking at her with interest. Cornelius and Rufus, however, didn't seem to pay her much attention.
"Yes, well, never mind that Dolores," said Fudge impatiently. "Any word on those two missing dementors?"
"No, Minister. The Dementor Control Unit has had members out searching, but we can't find them." She paused for a moment, then said, "do you think it's possible Potter was lying? It's just, that's far from the first time he would have come up with something for attention–"
"I don't think Harry would lie about something like that," Arthur interrupted. "I've known the boy for years and he hates the attention. No, dementors definitely attacked him and I think it was right to warn the public that there may be more out there."
Umbridge didn't say anything. She was facing an internal struggle. Finally after a few moments, she said, "very well. It was just an idea. I think I shall return to Azkaban, unless you have an objection, Minister?"
"No, Dolores. You are dismissed."
Ten minutes later, Umbridge found herself in her office within the prison. She was fuming at the Minister's actions. How could he give those filthy half-breeds the same level of rights as witches and wizards? Soon, they would be permitted to hold wands. And she would not stand for that. She needed to take immediate action.
She took a deep breath, and she knew what she had to do. She called for two Azkaban guards to escort Bellatrix Lestrange from her cell up to her office.
Five minutes later, a knock on the door. Umbridge said sweetly, "come in."
The guards forced Bellatrix through the door.
"Thank you, gentlemen. Please wait outside while I have a talk with Madam Lestrange."
"Yes, Madam Umbridge," said the men in unison. They closed the door.
"Tea? Coffee? Pumpkin juice?" Umbridge offered Bellatrix.
Bellatrix glared at Umbridge. "Filthy half-blood," she muttered quietly. Bellatrix had good reason to dislike Umbridge: She had made her, and all of the prisoners, write with a blood quill: "I must not torture innocent people." They did this nightly and the scars no longer went away; they were here to stay. The ironic thing is that Umbridge was torturing them and leaving scars behind to prove it. Though no one would believe them.
Umbridge gave Bellatrix a wide smile. Bellatrix thought she looked particularly toadlike. "I wish you to have a drink with me," said Umbridge sweetly.
"No thank you."
"I insist. If you do not, I will use the Cruciatus Curse on your hand where I've already made you write with your own blood. I believe you are familiar with that particular spell, are you not?"
Bellatrix stared at Umbridge. Finally, she accepted a cup of tea.
Umbridge sat down again after putting milk and sugar into Bellatrix's cup of tea. "Now, Madam Lestrange," said Umbridge sweetly. "Tell me how to contact your master."
Bellatrix laughed. "Why would I tell you, you filthy old hag?"
"Because I want to join him," said Umbridge. "I'm ready to join the Dark Lord's cause."
