I do not own Harry Potter. I do own this headache. i wish i didnt. who would like my headache?
Chapter 35
Dumbledore barely had time to seat himself behind his desk upon returning to Hogwarts before Harry crashed into his office.
"Where the hell have you been?" Harry spat. "They've arrested Hermione!"
"Who has arrested Miss Granger?" Dumbledore replied in shock. "And on what charge?"
"The Ministry, They have charged her with killing Pettigrew." Harry told him. "A squad of Aurors came into your school and took her. And where the hell were you?"
"I am sorry Harry, my absence has been unavoidable." Dumbledore tried to calm Harry down. "I have been away attempting to bring international allies to our side to aid us in ridding our country of the ridiculous blind government we are forced to obey." The elderly headmaster stood up and swept around the parchment littered desk. "And if I do remember correctly taking down this government is an objective you yourself have placed upon the Order of the Phoenix?"
"We have to help Hermione." Harry insisted.
"And help her we shall." Dumbledore promised. "I will make myself available to Mister Tonks to assist in Miss Granger's defence and should the unthinkable happen and she is indeed convicted, I will use every ounce of political capital I have left to appeal for clemency."
"If Hermione is convicted" Harry snapped. "I will tear down Azkaban brick by fucking brick to get her out. And when I'm done there I will go to the Ministry."
"Harry, we must not allow ourselves to fall into despair. I will do everything I can to assist Miss Granger. I am working on ridding us of Minister Fudge, I need you to trust me and allow me to work on your behalf."
"You have two days." Harry snapped. "In three I will take the Ministry fudge be damned." He turned on his heel and stormed out of Dumbledore's office.
"Merlin saved us!" Dumbledore whispered. "I must get Miss Granger back for him."
Hermione had been left to stew for several hours in a Ministry custody suite. The cell had no windows and she was kept in complete darkness. She sat with her knees drawn up to her chest on the straw mattress. When she had arrived she had been stripped of her Hogwarts robes and school uniform. A female aurora had taken her into a separate room where she was ordered to remove her underwear and the witch used several magic devices to scan and probe her body. Despite the witch being as gentle as possible and constantly apologising to Hermione the probing had left her tender and sore. Once the probing determined she was not smuggling any portkeys on her person, she was given a rough woollen dress. It smelled musty and like it hadn't been washed since the last person wore it.
She had no idea how long she had been in custody, the pitch darkness of the room made it impossible to tell, but she knew she had been there for a long time. She couldn't help but feel remorse for killing Pettigrew. She was cold, lonely and scared. She had done something horrific. She was going to be charged with murder of a pure blood wizard. Pure blood. Sure he wasn't a gifted wizard or even a good person but his blood ran pure and she spilled it, and as far as she knew the line of Pettigrew was now extinct. So now not only did she have the death of Peter Pettigrew on her conscience but she also had the death of the Pettigrew name to boot. She would be convicted, she knew it, and what's more she believed in her heart of hearts that she deserved to be convicted and fed to the Dementors. She only hoped that she would be allowed to say goodbye to her parents and Harry before they slammed the cell door and threw away the key.
Suddenly a crack of light appeared in the solid wall as a door appeared.
"Expecto Patronum." someone outside cast and a phoenix patronus soared into the room and to the top of the cell where she saw a Dementor caged in the ceiling.
"Dumbledore?" Hermione squinted into the bright light of the doorway.
"Indeed Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled at her and held out her hand. "I think you should come with me, your solicitor is speaking with the desk sergeant about alternative accommodations, but for right now let us adjourn to an interview room." He led her down the corridor past Ted Tonks speaking at length to the desk sergeant.
"I Demand to know how the decision was made to put a teenager in magic suppressing manacles at the time of arrest and then further subjecting her to detention in a Dementor cell. In the dark and the cold with only that creature."
"The prisoner has been arrested for murder." The Sergeant stated. "This is standard procedure for a suspect arrested on such a charge as you know Mister Tonks."
"How long has Miss Granger been in that cell?" Tonks pressed.
"As long as necessary for the investigators to pursue their enquiries."
"At what time was my client arrested today, Sergeant?"
"The suspect was arrested at 10:33am at Hogwarts School."
Ted took his pocket watch. He seemed to be counting hours.
"It is 9pm." Tonks started in shock. "Ten and a half hours in a Dementor cell. Has my client been offered any form of sustenance?"
"Unfortunately we have been extremely busy today, and regulations say that a prisoner has to be offered a meal within twelve hours of being in custody." The Sergeant smirked.
"Your regulations also state that the use of a Dementor Cell should be reserved only for particularly disruptive prisoners and should only be used for short lengths of time."
"Auror Dawlish will be with your client shortly." The Sergeant smirked.
"The hell he will." Tonks snapped. "My client will be given the opportunity to eat a hot meal and she will be seen by the Forensic Magical Medical Examiner. You can tell Dawlish my Client will not be interviewed before she has recovered from the Dementor exposure."
"The Auror is ready to interview." The Sergeant persisted.
"My Client is not!" Tonks retorted. "Under Section 63 of the Ministry of Magic Rights of a Suspect regulations I am invoking my Clients right to Advocatus consultatio. That provides my client with three hours of consultation with her solicitor, namely me, before any interview can take place."
"The Auror is not going to be happy."
"I am not happy Sergeant. I will be taking this matter up with the AICC and rest assured I will be demanding a full enquiry into the treatment of my client."
"That is your right sir."
"Yes it is." Tonks nodded. He turned to Hermione and Dumbledore. "This way I think." he led them to the solicitors room.
When they entered the small square room furnished with nothing but four wooden chairs and a simple wooden table. Dumbledore held his finger up to his mouth to indicate no one should speak. He took his wand out and waved it in a wide sweeping motion. "Finis Custodia" a bright blue light shone from the wand and they could hear several items drop to the floor.
"Ministry surveillance devices." Dumbledore said silently banishing the devices.
"That is incredibly unethical." Tonks shook his head in disgust.
"Indeed it is." Dumbledore agreed. "I have been told these devices are merely for security. But I have my doubts." he shook his head. "But now that they have been taken care of let us get down to business. Miss Granger, I have no doubt that you acted completely appropriately when you defended Harry from Peter. In Fact wizarding law calls it Murt laghail, the only fly in the ointment is your weapon of choice."
"The gun?" Hermione asked.
"Indeed. The fact that Peter's end came at the hands of a muggle weapon has raised eyebrows all over the right wing of our society."
"It would have been easier for you, legally speaking , to have used the Avada Kedavra." Tonks told her. "It would be easier to argue that it was reasonable to have used your wand. Many want to know how you came to be in possession of that fire arm and also how you know how to use it."
"That I can explain." Hermione told them.
"And explain you will," Dumbledore smiled. "After you have eaten a hot meal, drank some hot chocolate and also been seen by a healer to ensure you are no longer suffering from the effects of Dementor Exposure."
With a wave of his hand Dumbledore conjured a bowl of rich tomato soup and a cheese toastie to dip in it as well as three large mugs of hot chocolate.
"Eat your fill Miss Granger and then we will begin."
It had been a strange few days for Severus Snape. He had fled Voldemort in the company of the American doctor, he spent most of his time in the strange crippled man's home. The doctor had return to work whilst Snape laid low. The doctor came home that evening to find Snape had cleaned and tidied the apartment.
"Well Sev." The doctor said dropping his jacket on the floor and popping a pill into his mouth. "You will certainly make someone a great house wife."
"Thank you." Snape said. "I suppose. I want to thank you for your hospitality, doctor, but I really must return to Hogwarts."
"Yeah you have been rather cramping my style." The doctor smirked. "You were making the hookers feel uncomfortable out here. They charged me extra for you listening."
Snape screwed up his face in disgust.
"I can assure you I did not listen nor did I have any inclination to listen." Snape sneered.
"Well that was a waste of fifty bucks." The doctor shrugged. "Oh well. It was money I got from a friend anyway."
"Be that as it may," Snape said leading the doctor to the kitchen where he had a cauldron set up on the gas stove
"What the hell?" The doctor asked.
"I have spent the day brewing you a pain relieving draught of my own design. If it works then I believe it will end your need for painkillers." Snape told the doctor.
"Will you cure my leg?" The doctor asked, sitting down heavily at the kitchen table.
"Alas no." Snape shook his head sadly. "I do not have the ability to re grow muscle mass with a potion. But this potion once drunk will permanently end the pain in your leg."
"No more pain?" The doctor muttered holding the pill bottle in his hand. He watched as Snape ladled some of the potion out of the cauldron into a glass beaker.
"That's right." Snape nodded. "No more pain."
"No more pills?"
"If you choose the potion, then that is correct you will no longerneed to take the pills." Snape said as he cleaned up the potion making equipment with a wave of his wand. "But now, Greg, It is time I took my leave." Snape gathered his things and walked out of the apartment.
The doctor stared at the beaker and then at the bottle of pills in his hand. He stared for several seconds before pulling himself to his feet. He picked the beaker up and in his other hand he limped towards the kitchen sink. He flipped the lid of the pill bottle with his thumb and held it over the sink. He took the beaker and raised it to his nose and sniffed it. It smelled oddly sweet. He moved to drink the potion before he saw the bottle of pills again.
"Awww screw it!" he muttered and poured the beaker down the sink as he popped yet another pill.
Back at the Ministry Dumbledore and Ted Tonks had finally allowed Hermione to be interviewed by Dawlish. The interview had not gone well for the Auror. Between Dumbledore and Tonks they had managed to prevent the Auror from really establishing a case. At every turn they advised Hermione to remain silent throughout the interview.
"For the last time Granger." Dawlish snapped. "Do you admit that you murdered a pure blood wizard by muggle means?"
"No comment." Tonks said evenly.
"Do you realise that you have ended a pure blood line?" Dawlish persisted.
"No comment." Tonks said again.
"This is ridiculous." Dawlish snapped. "If you do not answer my questions I will suspend this interview and return you to your cell. Perhaps another hour or two with the Dementors will loosen your tongue."
"Actually," Dumbledore said, "You will not."
"You're not the headmaster here." Dawlish sneered. "Your opinion holds little sway here."
"More's the pity." Tonks said as Dumbledore stood with the speed of a much younger man.
"Auror Dawlish, that was perhaps both the rudest and quite frankly the most inaccurate statement that you have ever uttered." Dumbledore said, the usual grandfatherly nature in his voice was replaced with the whip-like crack of a career educator addressing a room full of unruly students. "First of all, as we have already explained to the custody sergeant, there are absolutely no grounds for holding Miss Granger in a Dementor cell. Second of all as Miss Granger is a minor in both the magical and muggle worlds and I do, as you stated on the record, hold the distinct honour to hold the position of headmaster of Hogwarts, the school that Miss Granger attends, I am here in that capacity acting in loco parentis for Miss Granger. I will tell you plainly if you attempt to return my student to that cell I will do everything in my not so inconsiderable power to ensure the only position of authority you ever hold again will be the bouncer of the Leaky Cauldron. Now, if you are finished…"
"Fine interview suspended." Dawlish snapped, his face red with rage. "This way Granger."
Dawlish led them back to the custody sergeant.
"I would like for the duty magistrate to authorise further detention of Miss Granger pending further enquiries Sarge." the Auror said.
"Very well." The Sergeant said, making a note on a sheet of parchment. "I will send the note."
The sergeant attached the parchment to the leg of an owl and released the bird. The owl circled the custody suite twice before landing on Dumbledore's shoulder.
"Oh dear me." Dumbledore smiled as he glanced at the clock on the wall. "Is that the time? Well I do believe I am the duty magistrate today. This is most convenient.
"Auror Dawlish, do you have any further evidence to make the case that Miss Granger has acted in malice?"
"No." Dawlish muttered. "Not yet. But I believe the girl may constitute a flight risk."
"A very grave concern indeed." Dumbledore nodded. "Is it true Miss Granger you are currently bound to Lord Potter?"
"I mean I wouldn't put it like that." Hermione smiled, "But we do have somewhat of an understanding."
"I see. Mister Tonks, will your client comply with any further summons on this matter?"
"I do believe she will Your Honour."
"Very well. Sergeant I am going to deny this petition, and instead I am going to remand Miss Granger to the joint custody of Lord Potter as her protector and Minerva McGonagall as both Miss Granger's head of house and the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry"
"Very well you honour." The Sergeant nodded. "I will see to Miss Granger's release immediately."
"Thank you Sergeant." Dumbledore smiled. "And Auror Dawlish? If you ever wish to arrest one of my students again I suggest you do not come in so heavy handed. Coming Miss Granger?" He gently guided Hermione out of the Custody suite to return her to Hogwarts.
Londoners are used to seeing a variety of strange things on their streets. People in fancy dress, soldiers dressed in ceremonial uniforms, or even foreign diplomats dressed in their national garb but it was very unusual to see a tall man dressed in a white ruffle shirt, black tailcoat, black breeches, black silk stockings and a pair of shiny black shoes with black buckles. In his left hand he carried a red silk bag that bore the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth the Second and in his right hand a three and a half foot black ebony rod adorned with a gold lion. People who were particularly into politics would know this gentleman as Black Rod.
If Black Rod's appearance walking the streets of Whitehall in full ceremonial dress was unusual, then the sight of him stepping into a telephone box would have left any passers-by completely agog. Black Rod dial 62442 and the line rang.
"Good Morning welcome to the Ministry of Magic visitors entrance. Please state your name and the reason for your visit today."
"I am the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Secretary to the Great Lord Chamberlain and Sergeant-at-arms to Her Majesty's House of Lords and I carry a message for the Secretary of state for the Ministry of Magic from Her Majesty the Queen."
"Please remain in the telephone booth until it has completely stopped, present your wand to the guard on duty, wear your visitor's badge and have a pleasant day."
As the phone booth began to sink into the ground a purple plastic badge appeared in the coin slot it read
'Sergeant-at-arms Black Rod
Royal errand boy'
Black Rod sniffed at the impolite plastic disc and with great distaste he fastened it to his coat. Once the phone boot reached the atrium of the Ministry he marched in a militaristic manner to the reception desk where a bored looking wizard sat lazily leafing through a magazine.
"Wand please." the young wizard said without looking up.
"I do not possess a wand young man." Black Rod said curtly. "I have a message to deliver to the Secretary of State to the Ministry of Magic."
"Oh yeah, and who is that?"
"Minister Fudge." Black Rod said. "Please take me to the Minister with all due haste."
"Oh right. The Minister. Urm, hang on a minute. Are you a Muggle?"
"I am Black Rod. That is the only pertinent information. Take me to Minister Fudge immediately or I shall become vexed."
"This way sir." The young wizard said, leading Black Rod to the Lifts. "I do apologise we don't' get many muggles down ear' even if they knows about us."
"Yes. I rather gathered that." Black Rod said, patting the young man on the back.
The security guard delivered Black Rod to the Ministerial floor and introduced him to Percy Weasley.
"I see." Percy said as he understood the situation. "I will just check to see if the Minister is in."
"Be quick about it. I have very important duties to attend to in the House of Lords this afternoon." Black Rod said, becoming impatient.
Percy knocked on the door and put his head around. Minister Fudge was not alone. He sat with Dolores Umbridge.
"I am sorry Minister, but a messenger from the Muggle Government has arrived." Percy informed them.
"The Minister is busy Wetherby." Umbridge snapped, sipping her tea. "Take a message."
"They are rather insistent, I'm afraid."
"Oh Very well." Fudge snapped "Show them in."
Percy opened the door admitting Black Rod. Percy was about to announce the muggle but he marched past Percy into the centre of the room.
"I am Black Rod." The strangely dressed muggle declared. "Among many other duties, today, I have the duty to come before you to deliver a message to you from Her Majesty the Queen."
"Very well," Fudge said, "Deliver your message."
Black Rod drew himself to attention, tucking the ebony rod under his arm and drew in a deep breath.
"To my Secretary of State to the Ministry of Magic, from Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth the Second by the grace of God, Sovereign of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland etcetera etcetera" Black Rod began. "Greetings. Having reflected upon our previous conversation I have tasked members of the Royal Household to ascertain the last time the Monarch visited the Ministry of Magic and addressed our Wizenagamont. We were surprised to discover that not since the signing of the Magicarter has there been an official tour, therefore it is our decree that on October 31stthere shall be a tour of inspection whereupon we shall attend the Ministry of Magic accompanied by our Husband, his Royal highness Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh and our son His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. On this date it is our wish that the entirety of our Wizenagamont will gather together for us to address them and bestow upon them our best wishes."
Black Rod took a thick envelope from his silk bag stepped forward and handed it to Fudge and stepped back to his original place.
"This letter contains the written text of what I have just told you as well as information pertaining to accommodations for state visits. As there is no formal ceremony at this time we are in a rather unusual situation of somewhat having to make one up on the fly as it were. There is not long before the visit and Her Majesty will not be deterred. I believe the Duke of Norfolk, who acts as Grand Marshal for these royal occasions will be in touch with you in due course."
Having delivered his message Black Rod turned on his heel and marched away without a word.
"A Royal Visit?" Fudge mused as he read the letter. "This is unprecedented."
"It isn't right." Umbridge declared. "Under the Magicarter we are supposed to have autonomy from the muggle Government."
"Unfortunately that is not quite right." Fudge corrected her while sipping his tea. "The Magicarter offers us the ability to govern ourselves under the supervision of the Muggle Government, and ultimately the Crown. It is the Sovereign's right to visit us, just because it hasn't been done before doesn't mean we can refuse the blasted woman!"
"Well what can we do?" Umbridge asked.
"Unfortunately nothing." Fudge shrugged. "We have to play the part. But if we are going to be forced into this then lets do it right. Have Weatherby liaise with our own Heralds and this Norfolk bloke."
"Very well." Umbridge agreed. "As Senior Undersecretary Shall I look after the progress of this… this farce?"
"Thank you Dolores." Fudge smiled. "You are a comfort to me."
Once again the office door opened without leave.
"What on earth is it now Weatherby?"
"I am sorry Minister, We have received this." Percy said, holding up a red envelope. "It arrived by international Albatross just a few seconds ago."
"That looks like a Howler." Fudge whispered.
"I believe it is just that Sir." Percy told him. He stepped forward and gingerly handed the now vibrating envelope to the shaking hand of the Minister of Magic. No sooner had the envelope touched Fudge's hand the envelope sprang into the air as a calm yet firm Australian voice exploded from the letter.
CORNELIUS FUDGE, CURRENT MINISTER OF MAGIC OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND!
IT IS THE CONSIDERED OPINION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF WIZARDS THAT YOU HAVE FAILED AS THE MINISTER OF MAGIC OF THE UK. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP THE MINISTRY HAS SAT BACK AND ALLOWED THE DARK WIZARD KNOWN AS LORD VOLDEMORT TO RISE TO POWER FOR A SECOND TIME AND YOU HAVE COME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO EXPOSING OUR WORLD AND OUR WAY OF LIFE TO THE MUGGLES.
THEREFORE BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE THE ICW MUST CALL FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF YOUR GOVERNMENT, ALL YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OFFICIALS AND A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IS TO BE INSTALLED BY NO LATER THAN THE FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER THIS YEAR OR THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL FACE CENSURE FROM ALL ICW MEMBER NATIONS.
The Howler rested itself on his desk and Fudge stared at the glistening purple text that spelled the end of his political career forever.
"Cornelius…" Umbridge began.
"Get out!" Fudge snapped.
"Minister." Umbrige tried again, "We can salvage this."
"JUST GET OUT!" Fudge bellowed, throwing his tea cup at the wall.
Umbridge stormed out and Percy followed, closing the door behind him. Percy snuck to a place he could make a phone call and Umbridge journeyed to MacNairs office to give her own report whilst Cornelius Fudge sat alone in his office and wept.
We come to the end of another chapter, and i think we may actually becomeing close to the end of this particular Story.
Thanks for every one who has liked and faverited the work and my self and thank you to my Beta Kevin.
N7SPARTAN-Comander-Jay117: Thank you very much Commandor
Charlee56: 5 reviews in quick sucsession Thank you. I am pleased you have enjoyed it so far. And Guest flaims annoy me so i call them out.
N.A Wennerholm: Are you emplying that the pure bloods need to be washed away in a moses level flood? interesting, maybe in the sequil
Andrew Lee Houghton: yes. yes he is
Fraewyn: Thank you i appreciate haveing you along for the ride
jkarr: Thank you as always
Hudy Leak613: Im glad your enjoying the story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter
Thanks every one for reading. appologies for the delay in this chapter its been a rough couple of weeks.