I do not own Harry Potter. I do like fizzy Vimto

Chapter 7 - Preparations

Harry spent a glorious week in the Lakes with the Grangers. Hiking around the lakes, climbing the mountains, sailing, swimming and just spending time with the family. He almost, for the first time in his life, felt normal. They all returned to the Grangers house and the elder Grangers went back to work. It was another week the pair spent together in Oxford. Hermione proudly showing Harry around her hometown.

One morning after Hermione parents left for work Remus and Sirius came to visit. "Good morning." Remus smiled. "We have a lot to go through with you, so we better get started."

"Dumbledore knows you have been made unplottable." Sirius told them. "But he doesn't know who did it. When he asks, you can tell him Snuffles wants a word. He should be coming this afternoon to surprise you."

"All right." Harry nodded. He had less than friendly feelings towards the headmaster himself right now. "What else?"

"The official letter for you hearing came. It's the day after tomorrow." Remus told them.

"But that's Harry's birthday." Hermione objected.

"We know." Remus said. "I think it's been done deliberately."

"Now ideally Dumbledore would represent you at your hearing…" Sirius began.

"I feel a but coming…" Harry interrupted.

"Probably Hermione's." Sirius joked. "But yes, there is a problem. Dumbledore is being watched very closely for interfering in the ministry so he can't be seen to have anything at all to do with this." He explained. "So, I have hired you a solicitor. Edward Tonks. He is married to one of my cousins as it goes, he is Muggle born so once he got his magical law degree, he went on to get a Muggle one so he can operate on both sides of the divide."

"Thanks." Harry said. "So that's the ministry, what next?"

"Not quite Harry." Remus said handing Harry an envelope. "This is your official summons. When you touch it, it will read itself to you."

Harry took the envelope. A loud shrill voice spoke.

"DEAR MISTER POTTER.

YOU ARE SUMMONED TO A HEARING OF THE MISSUES OF MAGIC BORED OF ENQUIREY ON THE FOLLOWING CHARGES.

YOU PERFORMED AN UNLOCKING CHARM IN A MUGGLE RESIDENCE VIOLATING THE REASONABLE RESTRICTION OF UNDERAGE MAGIC AND THE STATUTE OF STATE SECRACEY

YOU PERFORMED A STUNNER ON ONE MR VERNON DURSLEY, A MUGGLE, IN VIOLATION OF THE REASONABLE RESTRICTION OF UNDERAGE MAGIC, THE STATUTE OF STATE SECRACEY AND THE MISSUES OF MAGIC AGAINST MUGGLES ACT OF 1776

YOU PERFORMED MEMORY CHARMS ON THREE MUGGLES TO INCLUDE: MR VERNON DURSLEY, MRS PATUNIA DURSLEY AND MR DUDLEY DURSLEY. IN VIOLATION OF THE REASONABLE RESTRICTION OF UNDERAGE MAGIC, THE STATUTE OF STATE SECRACEY, THE MISSUES OF MAGIC AGAINST MUGGLES ACT OF 1776 AND THE MILLICIUS MEMORY CHARM CHARTER OF 1908

YOU ARE TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO THE COURT CLERKS NO LATER THAN 930AM ON THE MORNING OF JULY 31ST OF THIS YEAR.

IT IS MY DUTY TO INFORM YOU THAT SHOULD YOU NOT APPEAR, THE BOARD WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIND YOU GUILTY IN ALL CHARGES AND FURTHER CHARGES MAY BE ADDED.

I HOPE THIS LETTER FINDS YOU IN GOOD HEALTH

ETHAL ERMENTROUT

DEPUTY CLERK"

"All right." Harry said. "We knew that was coming. What's next?"

"This one is from Dumbledore." Remus said passing Harry another envelope, a familiar green ink displayed the address.

H. POTTER

UNKNOWN LOCATION

Harry opened the envelope.

Dear Harry.

I am sorry that you were forced into defending yourself from your family, it had been my intention that you should be watched but I had not had the opportunity to put these security measures into place however.

Your recent disappearance wile understandable, is problematic for those of us who hold your welfare as a solemn duty.

It is my intention to call on you on the 29th of July at 3pm to discuss several matters of the utmost importance. Please could you inform me of your location with the utmost urgency?

Yours with the deepest of devotion

Albus.

Sirius let out a little whistle. "In all of my years if corresponding with Dumbledore I have never received a letter signed with just his first name." He told Harry while passing a plank piece of parchment over. "This parchment is charmed to return to Dumbledore once you have signed it. A security measure you understand."

Harry quickly scribbled a note to Dumbledore.

Dear Professor Dumbledore.

I am staying with Hermione Granger and her family; you may call on me at their home address this afternoon.

Yours

Harry Potter

Within seconds of Harry signing the parchment the letter disappeared.

"All right then. That's the important stuff." Remus said. "Now this is your school letters."

"I'm sorry Hermione we made you unplottable while you were in holiday as well." Sirius told her. "Dumbledore always figured you two were together. But we didn't want him to know where you were." Sirius explained.

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"Just wanted to screw with him." Sirius shrugged.

Dear Mr Potter.

It is my pleasure to welcome you back to Hogwarts for your fifth year of study. Please note the enclosed booklist and ensure you have adequate supplies.

It is also my pleasure to inform you that you have been appointed prefect for Gryffindor House. You will meet your fellow prefects on the Hogwarts Express on September first.

Hoping this letter finds you in good health,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Head of Gryffindor House.

Harry checked the booklist noting that the standard book of spells was now grade 5 and there was a new defence book on the list too. He also noticed that dress robes where once again required. "I made prefect." Harry announced.

"Oh Harry, Congratulations!" Hermione squid with delight. "So did I."

"As if there was any doubt." Harry smirked.

"When we meet with Ted tomorrow Harry, we are going to deal with the situation with the Dursleys." Remus assured him. "Sirius is going to stay with you as Snuffles until Dumbledore comes. But I must get off to work." Remus stood to leave, and Sirius transformed into a dog. Harry worked on his homework and Hermione cracked on with Queen of Sorcery.

The Grangers kept a coocoo clock in the hall. Hermione had told Harry the clock was a trip to the alps before she was born and remarkably it still kept perfect time. As the coocoo cooed for the third time at 3 o'clock. There was a knock on the door. Harry pored boiling water into a tea pot and carried it to the table where 3 mugs were already set out. Sirius hid in the garage as Hermione went to the door.

Dumbledore, who it would appear did not care for the statute of secrecy stood in her doorstep in resplendent robes of magenta and blue swirling stars. "Ah Miss Granger. Good afternoon." Dumbledore greeted her.

"Hello Professor" Hermione said standing aside. "Please come in. Harry is in the kitchen."

She led the Headmaster to the kitchen.

"Hello Headmaster." Harry said his smile not reaching his eyes. "Tea?"

"Yes please." Dumbledore nodded. "How are you Harry?"

"I have been better." Harry said.

"I understand Harry." Dumbledore said sympathetically. "But I must impress upon you how irresponsible you have been in the last couple of weeks. Disappearing like you did has caused no end of trouble."

"I've behaved irresponsibly?" Harry demanded." Me? A month ago, I watched Cedric Diggory die. I was captured, used in a dark ritual, watched Voldemort reborn, tortured and then I had to duel him!" Harry could feel a rage he never knew he possessed building inside him. "After all that, what did you do? The great Albus Dumbledore sent me back to the god damn Dursleys! Without any BACKUP ALL, ALONE WITH ONLY MY NIGHTMARES TO KEEP ME FUCKING COMPANY!" He raged.

"I understand you anger…" Dumbledore tried to placate Harry.

"You understand nothing!" Harry interrupted. "You see my nightmares made me wake up screaming. I disturbed Uncle Vernon and he beat be."

"I am sorry Harry. Had I have known…"

"I'm not finished yet." Harry continued. "So, I stayed awake. I was awake for 30 hours. Too scared to sleep. So, I sent for help. Hermione rang the Dursleys house phone to check on me, so Vernon decided to beat the shit out of me again." Harry was breathing heavily now. "SO, YOU TELL ME, DULBELDORE JUST HOW HAVE I BEEN SO IRRESPONSIBLE?"

Sirius came back into the room and stood in the doorway.

"I wonder if I might have a word Albus?" He said presently.

"Sirius?" Dumbledore said in surprise. "I was unaware you knew of Harry's location."

"You didn't ask." Sirius said mildly. "Now about that word Albus…" He clicked his head indicating Dumbledore should follow him out of the room.

"Yes." Dumbledore began. "Yes of course. Please do excuse me Harry."

Harry nodded and watch Dumbledore leave the room. Hermione was by his side in seconds holding him to her. Harry could feel his rage dissipate at her gentle touch.

Dumbledore and Sirius talked at great length and it was decided that further conversation between Harry and Dumbledore might not be the best idea for the moment. Sirius would talk to Harry and perhaps Dumbledore could try again after Harry's hearing. It was a very subdued Dumbledore that returned to the kitchen to say his farewells.

"I will take my leave now Harry." Dumbledore announced. "You were of course right in all that you said. I can only offer my deepest apologies. For both the situation you find yourself in and for my short sightedness in sending you back to Privet Drive. I see now that that was a grave error. An error that may have cost me your respect and, dare I even say, friendship. I would like to speak to you again Harry to try and repair some of the damage this old fool has made." Dumbledore left the Granger home quickly and quietly lest he cause any more upset.

The following morning Remus and Sirius appeared at the Granger residence at nine o'clock the following morning. They collected Harry and Hermione and took them by train to London.

"First things first, Harry," Remus said sipping the trains tea service and grimacing. "We need to get your hair cut. After that we will meet with Ted Tonks."

"I hate having my hair cut." Harry muttered. "Did Dumbledore have anything else to say yesterday?"

"He said he had failed you and that he was sorry." Sirius told them. "For what it's worth I think he meant it."

"For what it's worth, he's bloody well right." Hermione agreed.

The train journey took just over an hour. Once they got off the train, they made a quick stop in a muggle barber shop. "No way am I letting someone cut my hair with magic." Harry muttered. "Knowing my luck, I'd lose an ear too."

Then it was a trip on the underground to Charring Cross. Sirius transformed himself into a dog before they entered the Leaky Cauldron, which thankfully was empty. They walked quickly as possible down Diagon Ally, careful to ignore anyone else around. Harry didn't want any publicity today. The arrived at Edward Tonks Esq Attorney at Law's office and where quickly shown into Teds office.

"Ah, Mr Potter." Ted Tonks greeted them. "I am Edward Tonks, but as we are practically family you can call me Teddy." Ted waved them to seats Infront of his desk as he took his own seat.

"I have reviewed your case Mr Potter, and it should be fairly black and white. Mr Lupin has informed me that you did not cast the spells in question, and it was in fact Miss Granger who did so in your defence. We will introduce your memories as evidence of the event as well as Miss Grangers wand and I expect you to be exonerated on the spot." He explained but then turned to Hermione. "Which will unfortunately put you in the firing line Miss Granger."

"I don't mind." Hermione said. "As I understand it, because they were attacking Harry the Law will find I have acted entirely appropriately."

"For most part this would be the case Miss Granger." Ted confirmed. "Except for the memory charms I'm afraid." Ted looked thoughtful for a moment. "Would you happen to have a silver sickle about your person Miss Granger?"

"I think so." Hermione said rummaging in her purse. "Here you go." She handed the coin to Ted.

"Thank you, Miss Granger." Ted said pocketing the money. "That, in the legal profession is what is known as a retainer, meaning that anything you now say to me must be held in the strictest of Attorney/Client privilege. As such Miss Granger I wonder if you could talk me through the logic in your decision to cast memory charms on the muggles?"

"I panicked." Hermione admitted. "Mrs Dursley was threatening to blame Harry for everything just because she hated him so much. I was hoping to stop them from getting the ministry involved any further. And I needed to get Harry out as quickly as possible, he was badly injured. My father also took picture of Harry's injuries."

"Very well Miss Granger. I do believe that I can make this work for us." Ted said after a few moments. "Yes. This will do just fine."

The meeting broke up a few moments later and Remus took them to Madam Malkins robes for all occasions so Harry and Hermione could get robes for court. After that they went to a local travel lodge in Muggle London so that they could be at the ministry of Magic early the next morning for their court appearance.

Authers Notes: Hello and welcome to this, the latest edition of my fan fic. I hope you are all feeling good and you are currently Corona free, unless you are enjoying an adult beverage, and if you are enjoying an adult beverage you are an appropriate age. or at least have your parents permission... damn. dont drink and drive?

ok. dont know what hapend their.

So as always i would like to thank Gin-Sensu for being my Beta. I really appreciate your work on my litterary ramblings.

and as always i would like to thank every one who is likeing/faveriting/following this story and even people who are likes and favoreting me, i've never been any ones faverit any thing. it makes me happy.

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