I don't own Harry Potter, do you?

Chapter 8 Day in Court

Harry woke up with Hermione pressed against him, he didn't even know that she had joined him in his hotel room last night. He knew that they had to be up soon and ready to go the Ministry of Magic. His arm was wrapped around her waist he pulled her closer to him and gently kissed her neck just under her ear.

She moaned and wriggled back into him. "Good morning Harry." Hermione said. "By the feel of it you are having a good morning." She turned over to face him and kissed him deeply. Her hands exploring his chest.

"As much as I want to stay here with you like this we have to get up." Harry said, "We've got to be in court soon."

Hermione sighed and ran her fingers just under the waist band of his pants. "I suppose you're right. I had better go back to my room and get dressed." She said and kissed his collar bone lightly before she got out of bed.

"Tease." Harry complained.

"Yep, and you know it." She said walking to the door. "Oh, and Harry." She added. "Happy birthday."

Once they left the hotel Sirius left them, despite his disguise as Snuffles he couldn't risk a trip deep into the heart of the Ministry.

Remus shepherd them through the Ministry to the Courts. Where Ted Tonks was waiting for them.

"We are in room six." Ted told them. "That's good, it's a relatively small room and not much of a public gallery. Professor McGonagall is already in their representing the school."

"That's nice." Remus said.

"And the press gallery is just about empty." Ted went on. "Only Rita Skeeter from the Prophet."

"Well that's just great." Harry muttered.

"Harry, I must press upon you the importance of being quiet." Ted warned. "They want you to look unruly and untoothed. In short Harry they want to ruin your reputation." Ted opened the door to room six. He signalled that Remus and Hermione should sit in the public gallery then led Harry to a table at the front of the room. In front of the defendants table stood a larger table with three empty chairs set behind it, looking at the public gallery. Harry glanced around the room. A few random witches and wizards were in the gallery. Harry caught McGonagall's eye. She responded with a curt nod. Rita Skeeter on the other hand, could not help but wave to attract his attention.

"You hoo! Harry." She called. "Can I have a word?"

"My client is not interested in talking to the press at the moment." Ted said forcefully. "If it becomes necessary for Mister Potter to address the press a statement will be made in due course and through the appropriate channels." Ted steered Harry to the seat and took out some parchment from his briefcase. "This is important Harry." Ted said. "Speak only when spoken to and when I tell you to, read this statement." He placed a sheet of parchment down on the table in front of Harry. "Keep your temper and you will be fine." He warned.

A clerk entered the room from a door behind the large table. He nodded to Ted. "All Rise!" the clerk demanded, and everyone stood. The door behind the table opened again. Two wizards and one witch stepped out. The witch went to the middle seat and the wizards sat on either side of her. "This is a hearing of the Misuse of Magic Disciplinary board. The Honourable Herbert Humphries off the Education committee. The Honourable Charles Johnson of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Right Honourable Dolores Umbridge Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic acting as inquisitor." The Clark announced.

"Edward Tonks on behalf of the defence." Ted announced.

Umbridge sat down and made a great show of shuffling her documents. The two wizards sat down next both looking somewhat uncomfortable.

"You may all be seated." The clerk said.

"The Defendant will rise." Umbridge demanded. Harry and Ted stood. "Mister Potter, you are charged with using magic outside of school despite knowing such magic is illegal. Furthermore, you are charged with using a stunning spell on a muggle constituting assault as well as breaching the statute of secrecy. And finally, and perhaps the most egregious of these charges you are charged with tampering with the muggles memories. How do you plead?"

"The defence pleads not guilty." Ted replied.

"I am sorry Mister Tinks…"

"Tonks." Ted corrected.

"Tonks then, but I asked the defendant a question, not you."

"And as the defendants attorney I have answered that question."

"I require the defendant to answer on his own, if you please?" Umbridge demanded. The clerk glanced at Ted and shrugged. Ted motioned for Harry to answer.

"Not Guilty." He declared.

"Very well, if you insist on wasting this courts time…"

"Objection Madam Umbridge." Ted said. "This is not a court of law, but a tribunal."

"I fail to see the difference, but if it pleases the defence, if Mister Potter wishes to waste the time of this tribunal, we will call our first witness. Mafalda Hopkirk" Mafalda stood from the public gallery and moved to the centre of the room ahead of Harrys table.

"Please state your name for the record." Mr Johnson asked.

"Mafalda Hopkirk, your honour."

"And your occupation?"

"I am a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement" Hopkirk replied.

"Thank you, Miss Hopkirk." Umbridge said. "Now please can you describe for the… hem…hem… tribunal the events of the night in question."

"The Ministry received intelligence that Harry James Potter cast the unlocking charm, a stunning spell on Mister Vernon Dursley and then modified the memories of Mr Dursley, Mrs Petunia Dursley and Mr Dudley Dursley."

"I see, and how do we know about these spells?"

"The DMLE routinely monitors all residence of magical minors. We get a report if magic has been cast by a minor outside of school."

"Thank you, Miss Hopkirk." Umbridge said warmly. "You may retire."

"Actually, Madam Inquisitor," Ted said standing. "I would like the chance to cross examine the witness."

"Well you can't." Umbridge said spitefully.

"Actually, Madam Inquisitor" Herbert said leaning over. "He has every right to cross examine the witness."

"Oh, very well Tonks. Get on with it." Umbridge snapped.

Teds stood and walked around the table. "Miss Hopkirk, you stated earlier that you work for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Is that correct?" Ted asked pleasantly.

"Yes, that is correct."

"Really, you work for the DMLE?" Ted asked again. "That is very strange because it says here," Ted picked up a parchment scroll. "According to the Ministry records, you work as an assistant in the Improper use of Magic office. And as far as I am aware that office is its own entity rather than a sub department with in MLE. However, perhaps you could tell us how you know it was Mr Potter who cast those charms?"

"They were cast at his place of residence." Hopkirk said.

"So, you could not tell, for example, if I went to Mr Potters' home and cast a spell that it was me and not Mr Potter. You would only know that magic was performed?"

"That's correct." Hopkirk said.

"Very well." Ted pressed on. "But you, I assume, checked the magical signature upon arrival at the Dursley residence?"

"It was not deemed necessary." Hopkirk persisted. "As Potter is the only magical resident."

"I see. Thank you, Miss Hopkirk." Ted said.

"You may retire Mafalda." Umbridge said. "Now we call Harry James Potter." Harry dutifully stood. "Mister Potter, perhaps you would like to tell us why you cast those spells?"

Ted stood again. "My Client will read from a prepared statement." He nodded for Harry to continue.

"Lady and Gentlemen of the bored." Harry read. "I vehemently deny casting any magic on the date in question at Number 4 Privet Drive. I have not used any magic since returning home from Hogwarts at the end of the summer. In actual fact I do not know how to perform a memory charm."

"Come now Mister Potter." Umbridge said gently. "The Ministry detected magic at your home."

"I would refer Madam Umbridge to my client's statement." Ted intervened.

"But the Ministry detected magic. Surely you are not denying that?"

"I would refer you to my clients' statement." Tonks repeated.

"As you wish. We will now deliberate." Umbridge said.

"Actually Dolores, the defence now has an opportunity to state its case." Humphrys said.

"What defence." Umbridge exclaimed. "The boy is guilty of using magic in his home. Mafalda's testimony proves that!"

"Objection!" Ted stood immediately. "It is not the purpose of this tribunal to assume guilt before my client's case has been heard. As this is clearly a Ministry whitewash the defence moves that this tribunal be dismissed immediately and my client be completely exonerated."

"Denied." Umbridge said banning her gavel. "Fine, let us hear your case, as much good as it will do you."

"Thank you." Ted began standing. "I call Mr Harry James Potter." Harry stood again. "Mr Potter, could you tell us a little bit about what life was like for you at your home?"

"I don't have a life per say." Harry replied. "My family hates magic and there for they hate me. I am often locked in my room without food or water."

"All right. And how were things for you when you got back from school this year?"

"Worse than usual. My uncle decided I was to be locked in my room from the moment I got home. My school equipment locked away. They put a bucket in my room." Harry went on.

"A bucket Mr Potter?" Ted asked.

"For me use as a toilette." Harry said. A hush ran through the public gallery.

"I see, please Mr Potter, continue."

"I have been having nightmares, ever since the third task, this last school year. I woke them up one-night screaming. Uncle Vernon then beat me, told me I had better not wake them up again. So, I stayed awake. For about 30 hours, I think. He had beaten me so badly that I sent my owl to Hermione for help. When Hermione got my note, she used the telephone to try and get in contact with me. This only made Uncle Vernon angrier than before. When Hermione arrived, Uncle Vernon was laying into me again."

"So, you couldn't have cast the spells because your wand was locked away in your trunk?" Ted pressed.

"That's right." Harry replied.

"Thank you, Harry." Ted finished. He turned to the bench. "Your witness."

"Mr Potter." Johnson began. "If you did not cast those spells, do you know who did?"

"Yes sir."

"Who cast the spells Mr Potter, and why?"

"It was Hermione Granger, sir." Harry told them. "I can't be sure exactly how it all happened. But I think when Hermione got to my house, she saw Uncle Vernon attacking me. She must have opened my bedroom door with the unlocking charm and stunned Uncle Vernon. That's when I passed out."

"Thank you, Mr Potter." Humphrys added. "Mr Tonks does the defence have anything to add?"

"The defence moves for a dismissal of this case and that my client cleared of all charges."

"We will put it to a vote." Umbridge said. This hadn't gone the way she wanted it to at all. "Those in favour to convict?" she raised her wand. "For acquittal?" the two wizards raised their wand. "Very well. Mr Potter, the charges are dropped, and you are fee to go. The Ministry may wish to pursue Miss Granger in due course." Umbridge banged down her gavel and swept away in a huff.

"I doubt the Ministry will pursue Miss Granger after this." Ted said. "It looks as though this Umbridge was gunning for you personally Harry."

"The Minister thinks he needs to scalp me to stay in office." Harry said.

"Well not today, come on we better get this over with" Ted led Harry out of the committee room where Rita Skeeter was ready to pounce.

"How do you feel about the verdict Harry?" Skeeter asked. "You were lucky today don't you think?"

"Justice was done today Miss Skeeter." Ted replied leading Harry away. "As I said before if it is deemed necessary for Mr Potter to release a statement, a statement will be made in due cause."

Ted led them from the Ministry building and to a small café in Westminster. "Congratulations Harry." Ted said. "You are free. Miss Granger, if the Ministry comes calling for you, which I doubt they will, contact me immediately."

"Thank you, Mr Tonks," Hermione said.

"Not at all." Ted replied. "And now if you will excuse me, I have a case at the Old Baily at 1. Goodbye."

They watched Ted leave. "We had better get you two home." Remus said. "We have a birthday to celebrate after all."

Aurthers Notes: Thanks once again for reading and following and likeing and stuff

Thank you to Gin-Sensu for being my Beta and for brining order to my rambilings.

And now onto Reveiwers. I have had three guest reviews in the last couple of days. i assume two of them are from the same persona and i thank that person, allthough i didnt understand their reviews.

Now Guest 3. Why you got to be mean? Their is nothing in that review that could be considerd constructive critisisum. As i have said i am dislexic, meaning some times it is difficult for me to catch spelling errors. If you dont want to read storys written buy ammatures i sugest you buy a book. nobody hear is being paid for their efforts. But i think the thing that gets my goat the most is that, disspite the fact you seem to know every thing about you left your review annonamusly. you are quite simply a coward!

JKarr: Thanks for your review. it's Nice to hear from you

Thanks again to every one for reading. Please leave me a CONSTRUCTIVE review. Thanks again. Stay safe