I do not own Harry Potter, but I did get a brand spanking new TV last week, so you know that's some thing right?
Chapter 20 – Hogwarts Express
As the Hogwarts express pulled away from Kings Cross station Hermione was being transported to a Ministry holding cell beneath St Pancreas tube station. The two aurors, with a light grip on each of her arms, genteelly manoeuvred the frightened teenage girl to the custody sergeant.
"Name?" The sergeant said to Hermione.
"Hermione Granger." She replied.
"All right Miss Granger, do you have a wand on your person?"
"Yes sir." She replied and passed her wand over the desk. The sergeant put it on the desk and ran his own wand across it as a quill made notes on the composition of Hermione's wand.
"Ten- and three-quarter inches long, vine wood with a dragon heartstring core, is that correct?"
"Yes sir." Hermione confirmed.
"All right then Miss Granger, I will keep hold of your wand here. Turn out your pockets please."
Hermione emptied the pockets of her jeans while the sergeant dutifully made a note of them.
"One muggle ten-pound note, one ball point pen and four galleons." The sergeant read back. "Sign here please Miss." Hermione did as she was bid and watched her property get locked in a small wooden box. "Right then, what was this young lady arrested for? Looks like she should be on the Hogwarts express."
"Muggle baiting" one of the Aurors said. "And magical assault on three muggles."
The sergeant glanced at Hermione's muggle clothes and slightly shook his head. "Arresting officer?" the sergeant asked.
"Dolores Jane Umbridge." Umbridge announced from behind.
"You are not an auror ma'am." The sergeant said. "This is highly irregular."
"Nevertheless, I will be noted as the arresting officer." Umbridge insisted.
"As you wish." The sergeant shrugged. "Do you have a solicitor Miss?"
"I do, Edward Tonks."
"All right, you will be held in the cells until such time as your solicitor arrives then you will be interviewed. Take her to three, Micky."
"Yes sarge." One of the Aurors said.
"Hem hem." Umbridge cleared her throat. "I do not have time to wait around all day for a solicitor to arrive sergeant, I will interview the suspect immediately."
"No ma'am you won't." The sergeant said firmly.
"I am Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, and you will obey me!"
"I don't care if you are the bloody Queen Mother, you will respect the law in this custody suite. If you are unhappy with this, I suggest you take it up with Director Bones. Take Miss Granger to three Micky and fetch the girl a cup of tea."
"Yes sarge." Micky responded lightly leading Hermione by the arm.
Meanwhile the Hogwarts express began it journey north, Harry sat in the prefect's carriage of the express listening to Rodger Davies, a seventh year Ravenclaw and newly appointed Head Boy, listed the new prefects' instructions.
"You new chaps will patrol the train in two's, well except for you Potter, you will have to go on your own and once we get to Hogwarts you will have to show your first years to the dorms and get them bedded down. Angelina, you can help Potter with the Gryffindor's." Davies droned on. Harry was barely paying attention. After a while Tonks came into the carriage in full Auror robes.
"Lord Potter, a word please." Tonks said beckoning him to the vestibule end of the carriage.
"Of course, aurora." Harry replied. Once the compartment door closed Harry let her have it. "What the fuck was that Tonks?" he demanded.
"Director Bones is trying to deal with this Harry." Tonks tried to placate him. "It would appear that Dolores Umbridge is using a statement Hermione made about the events at the Dursley house as a confession in an attempt to undermine you and Hermione."
"Umbridge?" Harry demanded. "Isn't she that the toad looking woman from that farce of a hearing?"
"That's right." Tonks confirmed. "Apparently she has somewhat of a hard on for you."
"You tell Amelia Bones from me that if Hermione is not waiting for me at Hogsmeade, when I get off this train I will be coming straight back down to London and I swear to fucking god I will take the Ministry apart brick by god damn brick until I find her."
"Harry you need to calm down." Tonks said trying to placate him.
"Bull shit!" Harry swore. "Hermione is my intended. If I understand the rules properly that means she is under the protection of my house and I will protect her Tonks."
"All right Harry." Tonks said. "I will get word to the Director."
"I mean it Tonks; I get off this damn train and I see Hermione!"
"Okay, okay Harry, let me work on this." Tonks said.
"I have to patrol."
Hermione was escorted from her cell by the aurora known as Micky where she found Ted Tonks sat looking particularly annoyed and a triumphant looking Dolores Umbridge. "Ah Miss Granger." Umbridge smiled. "Do sit down. This is an interview with Hermione Granger taking place on the first of September, the time is twelve twenty-three, present are…"
"Aurora Micky Webb." Micky said for the Quick Quotes Quill.
"Edward Tonks, solicitor of Miss Granger." Ted said clearly, with a slight edge in his voice.
"And Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic." Umbridge said. "Now we have here a confession…"
"I really must protest." Ted said. "My client made no confession. She made a witness statement detailing the abuse of Lord Potter at the hands of his muggle relatives to close the file on a witch hunt perpetrated against Lord Potter by you and it would appear the Ministers Office."
"That is just not true." Umbridge snapped. "The Ministry simply acted on received intelligence to investigate Potter. But we are here to discuss Granger's assault of the Dursleys family."
"I demand a moment to have a privet consultation with my client." Ted said.
"Maybe later." Umbridge said. "Now Granger, what can you tell us about the night you abused those muggles."
"No comment." Ted said.
"I asked Granger not you Tonks." Umbridge snapped.
"I am her solicitor." Ted said. "In this instance I speak for my client and I can guarantee you that we will not say another word until I have had a chance to consult with my client, which, as I am sure Aurora Webb can tell you, is Miss Grangers legal right."
"It's true ma'am." Webb confirmed. "If we don't let her talk to her solicitor, this interview could be thrown out if this ever goes to a trial."
"Oh, very well!" Umbridge said standing and storming out of the room.
"Interview suspended twelve thirty." Webb said and cancelled the charm on the quick quotes quill. "The quill has stopped recording; I will be outside if you need anything."
"Thank you, aurora." Ted said.
The Hogwarts express continued its journey north, currently passing through the midlands. It was Harrys turn to patrol the train. He looked in all the compartments making polite, but disinterested small talk with acquaintances as he passed through the train. Finally, he found his way to a compartment filled with Gryffindor's.
"Hello Harry." Neville greeted him.
"All right Nev." Harry responded. "Good summer Dean and Seamus?"
"Not bad." Dean admitted.
"Been a bit weird reading about you in the paper, Harry." Seamus admitted. "And Ron told us you stole his girlfriend." He accused.
"I didn't know Ron and Hermione were together. I don't think Hermione knew either." Harry said. "And Dean, you can't believe everything you read in the paper."
"So, you didn't abuse those Muggles?" Dean demanded.
"No." Harry said. "They abused me, beat the hell out of me Hermione rescued me and took me to her place for the holidays. And yes, we fell for each other, I didn't steal her away from anyone."
"That's not what Ron is telling anyone who is willing to listen, mate." Neville told him.
"Do you know where Ron is?" Harry asked. "I want to nip this bollocks in the bud."
"Next compartment." Neville said. Harry thanked him and went to the next compartment on the train which was filled with Weasleys.
"Am I welcome here?" Harry asked.
"Of course, you are Harry." Ginny smiled and moved over "Come sit by me."
Fred and George shared a look as Harry sat down. No sooner had his butt touched the seat Ginny placed her hand on his leg.
"Look Ron," Harry said. "I want to talk to you about Hermione."
"What about Hermione?" Ron asked. "Has she come to her senses and dumped you yet?"
"No Ron, she hasn't dumped me."
"Then I have nothing to say to you." Ron said.
"For god's sake Ron!" Harry complained. Ginny inched her hand up his thigh. "You want to throw years of friendship because you are jealous that's fine." Ginny's hand moved higher still.
"Friendship?" Ron demanded. "That what you call it? I call it being your lacky."
"What are you going on about Ron?" Harry demanded. "You were never my lacky, I thought we were friends."
"All you have ever done is lord your wealth and fame over me." Ron spat.
"Eh?" Harry recoiled. "All I have ever done is try and share with you. I bought you your omnoculors last year because I didn't want you to feel left out. I have tried to include you in everything I have done." Ginny's hand reached his crotch. "And what the fuck do you think you're doing Ginny?" He demanded.
"Come on Harry." Ginny said huskily. "I can feel how much you want me." She said stroking him through his trousers.
"Perficitus totalus." George said freezing Ginny.
"Silenceo." Fred said shutting Ron up.
"Harry," George began. "We are so sorry about our younger siblings."
"It would appear they have completely taken leave of their senses." Fred added.
"Apparently Ron is a jealous git." George continued.
"And dear Ginny is trying out for the role of slapper in the school play." Fred quipped.
"It's all right lads." Harry said embarrassed by his biological reaction to Ginny. He felt like he had cheated on Hermione a little bit. "I don't blame you, I wanted to talk to you both later. Can you meet me in the common room after the feast tonight?"
"But of course, dear fellow." Fred said.
"Thanks guys. I'm going to get out of here, I have to finish my patrol."
"See you later Harry." George waved before turning back to his younger siblings. "What should we do with them Gred?"
"I don't know Forge." Fred answered waving to Harry.
Back in the Ministry holding centre Hermione and Ted were waiting for the interview to recommence. They had been kept waiting for several hours. A discourtesy that Ted was particularly annoyed about. He was about to leave the interview room and find someone but as he stood Umbridge and Webb came back into the room and took their seats across from them.
"All right then, if you have had an adequate amount of time to confer with your client, we shall recommence the interview?" Umbridge smiled sweetly.
"We have had plenty of time thank you." Ted said smiling.
"Lovely, Aurora Webb, if you would be so kind?"
"Interview recommencing at sixteen fifty-five." Webb said.
"Right then." Umbridge said. "Shall we pick up where we left off, Miss Granger, can you tell us why you chose to assault those muggles with magic?"
Ted, with somewhat theatricality, passed over a sheet of parchment over to Hermione. "My client has prepared a statement which she will read for you now." Ted said.
"On the day in question I received a letter from Harry Potter requesting urgent help. My father and I journeyed to the residence of Lord Potter. Upon gaining entry to the property I went to the smallest bedroom where I found one Vernon Dursley assaulting Lord Potter. At this point I stunned Mr Dursley and to preserve the statute of secrecy I placed memory charms on the Dursley family." Hermione recited
"So, you admit to cowardly attacking the muggles?" Umbridge asked.
"I refer you to my statement." Hermione said
"You condemn yourself with your own words." Umbridge said. "It is within your best interests to cooperate with this investigation. Now tell me, do you actually expect us to believe Potter was in any danger from the muggles?"
"I refer you to my statement." Hermione repeated.
"Is it not in actual fact, that Potter wrote to you asking for your help in attacking the muggles as revenge for mistreating him over the years?" Umbridge persisted.
"I refer you to my statement."
"You are not doing yourself any favours here Granger." Umbridge snapped. "I put it to you that your use of memory charms on those defenceless muggles was nothing more than a cowardly attempt to cover your tracks."
"I refer you to my statement." Hermione repeated resolutely.
In a fit of temper Umbridge reached across the table and tore Hermione's statement in half. "That is what I think of your statement girl!" Umbridge spat.
"For the benefit of the quill Madame Umbridge tore up my client's statement in a fit of rage." Ted said unemotionally.
At that moment, the door burst open. "Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law Enforcement has entered the room." Bones said announcing herself. "And this interview is over!" She motioned for Webb to close the interview and leave.
"Interview terminated at seventeen forty-five." Webb said picking up the quill and pad then making a hasty retreat.
"Mister Tonks, you client will be realised in a moment without charge and with my personal apologies." Bones said, "But before I do, I would like to ask you legal opinion on this document."
Bones handed a form to Ted.
Name: Granger, Hermione Jean. D.O.B: 19/9/79
Wand:Ten and three quarter inches long, Vine wood and a Dragon Heartstring core
Charge: Muggle Baiting; Magical Assault on a muggle; Memory tampering; Underage Sorcery; breaking the SS; Resisting Arrest
Arresting Officer: Dolores Jane Umbridge (snr undersecretary)
Ted quickly read the form. "For a start some of these charges are preposterous." Ted exclaimed. "Miss Granger could hardly break the Statute of Secrecy when the Dursleys where the legal guardians of a wizard. Also, I highly doubt Miss Granger resisted arrest."
"I most certainly did not!" Hermione protested.
"Hang on a moment." Ted said. "This states that Madam Umbridge was the arresting officer, I do not believe she has the authority of arrest."
"She does not." Bones confirmed. "As such, even if this had of gotten as far as Miss Granger being charged the case would most assuredly have been thrown out of court."
"It would have once I examined this document." Ted nodded. "I really must protest Director. This is a vendetta against two of my clients."
"So, it would appear." Bones nodded. "Rest assured I will be running an enquiry as to how Umbridge managed to access a sealed witness statement." Bones began leading them from the room. "As it happens the statement Miss Granger made was used to close the file, the DMLE has no interest in pursuing a case against you."
"That's good to know." Hermione smiled. "What happens next?"
"Your personal effects will be returned to you and I will arrange transportation to Hogsmeade station." Bones said. "Your young Lord Potter has threatened to come and get you if you are not waiting for him."
"That sounds like Harry." Hermione nodded. Hermione's things where returned to her and she signed several forms before being officially realised from custardy.
"Right then Miss Granger." Bones smiled handing Hermione a length of rope. "The Hogwarts Express is ten minutes from reaching Hogsmeade station, this is your port key. We have let the school know that you are arriving out of uniform and why you were not present on the express."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled.
"And in three… two… one… Portus." Bones cast.
Hermione felt the pull from her navel whisking her back to Hogwarts.
Hogsmeade station was always busy on express days, staff running around preparing the carriages, ensuring the students trunks could get to the castle in short order and generally ensure the students safety. Hermione stood on the platform watching the majestic steam engine pull into the station and all the students piling off the train.
"FIRS' YEARS THIS WAY!" Hagrid called from the end of the platform. "LET'S BE HAVING YA FIRST YEARS!"
Hermione watched the train empty and students file to the carriages in high spirits ready for the sorting and the Welcoming Feast.
"ANY MORE FIRST YEARS?" Hagrid boomed.
Finally, Hermione saw Harry climbing down from the train with Tonks. They made their way over to her and when they were close enough Harry pulled Hermione into a tight embrace.
When they broke apart Harry turned to Tonks. "You tell Madam Bones; she is fucking lucky!" He laughed.
"I will Harry." Tonks nodded. "You had better hurry to the carriages to school."
Harry took Hermione's arm and lead her to the last remaining carriage.
Authers Notes: Thank you for every one for reading and likeing and faveriting, every day I get loads of emails telling me that people are digging my stuff and it is so gratifying.
Thank you as ever to my amazing Beta Gin-Sensu for your amzing work on this story.
Loads of reviews for this chapter, so thank you for that and please keep them comeing in.
Jkarr: Thank you for your review as always. It's nice that you take the time to review every single chapter and you have been with me since the bigining of this story.
Guest 1 (The Lawyer) Thank you for your wonderfully detaild review. I read it all, but I must admit I didn't really understand it. I get my knowlage of cort room procedure basically from TV shows like The Bill. But the whole point of the court room scean was the Ministery trying to stitch Harry up and in return Harry, Ted and Hermione trying to defiy the Ministery and their unfair procideings.
Karatekid-Ninja: Another long time reviewer. Yeah, it will blow up right in her toad shaped gob. Even though as the auther I have the power to redeem any charictor I just cant bring my self to redeem Umbitch.
Guest 2: I don't really have the ability to pruchaise read/speak software. Because of the Corona situation I have been furloughed from work and surviveing on less than my normal income. Every effert is made to correct spelling errors with spell check and then via my Beta. I am sorry if typos ruin the experience for you but I am doing my best hear.
Guest 3: I can assure you that both Harry and Hermione are happy with the services of Ted Tonks have no plans to lauch a mal practice suit at this time.
Firebird-fenix: Thanks for the review. Harry has left the situation to his solicitor, as you have seen and it has been resolved to his satisfaction for now. Harry dosent really have the clout in the Wizenagamont yet to call for a vote of noconfidence yet.
Siam7020: Harry is a perfect gentleman who just isn't emotionaly ready for helping Hermione with her physical needs.
HeartsGlow: Thanks for your 3 reviews! Yes in Cannon Dumbeldore did lie, for the "Grater Good." But this story is not to Cannon. As to your second review about the naming of Ms Tonks, yes in Cannon Tonks dose not like her first name, but again this isn't Cannon, how can it by it takes place in fith year? In this story Tonks had not as yet been introduced to Harry & Co, and I want to call her Nymph because I think it's a bit funny. As to the story arc with Malfoy, I haven't forgotten it. Harry hadn't seen Malfoy until he got on the Express where he had other more pressing issues to deal with. Once they are back at school their will be more interactions between Harry and Young Mr Malfoy!
Setokayba2n: Wow, that's a hell of a name. Sorry about the cliffie, I do hope you have managed to hang on and pull your self back up with this chapter.
That about dose it. Loads of reviews this chapter which I thank you all for. Until next time stay home (if you are supposed to.) Stay healthy and stay safe!