In the courtroom, Fudge looked at Harry in astonishment.
He didn't expect the other party to appear here now.
Obviously, this was the time and place he temporarily changed to catch Harry off guard.
But because it happened, he could only act according to the plan.
After tidying up his appearance, Fudge let out a dignified cough.
"Since the parties are here, can we start?"
The jury was composed of more than fifty wizards, wearing fuchsia robes, with a delicate "W" embroidered on the left front chest, representing their identities - members of the Wizengamot.
They all looked down at Harry, who was sitting below, some with stern expressions, others with unabashed curiosity.
When Fudge finished speaking, no one paid him any attention. Instead, most turned to look at Alvin, sitting near the center, which embarrassed Fudge a little.
"I think Mr. Potter's defense hasn't come. Should we wait a while?"
Alvin looked at the people around him and seemed to be asking for their opinions.
"Yes, according to the procedure, Porter has the right to wait for his own defender to arrive before answering questions."
"That's right. We're not short of these times."
"Yes, Minister Fudge, don't be too hasty."
A group of people echoed the words.
But the process was like this, and he couldn't refute it. He could only sit in his seat sullenly without saying a word.
And half an hour later, Dumbledore appeared in a hurry.
He was also relieved to see the hearing that had not yet started.
Fudge's move did not frighten Harry but tossed him hard.
But now, the hearing has not started, and a group of people is surrounding Alvin again. He also understands something and nods slightly to Alvin.
And his arrival also made the others return to their seats and begin today's hearing.
"Disciplinary hearing of the twelfth of August." Fudge exclaimed, "Into offenses committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Harry James Potter."
"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic..."
After reading a long list of titles, Dumbledore also began to argue for Harry.
In Dumbledore's words, Harry was attacked by Dementors in legitimate self-defense, and he also protected Muggles without breaking any of the laws.
"Wait a minute, Dumbledore, you seem to be saying that the Ministry of Magic attacked Harry? Know that the Dementors have always been under the Ministry of Magic's management, and their actions require our authorization."
The speaker was a chunky middle-aged woman dressed as a girl, wearing pink, which looked like she could spit out the overnight meal.
Her voice was also shrill and abnormal, trying to make herself look younger.
Alvin glanced at her in disgust. This was Dolores Umbridge, Fudge's loyal lackey.
"Perhaps there is a possibility that these are two Dementors out of control. After all, there are only two Aurors in Azkaban, and they cannot detect the Dementors' whereabouts."
Dumbledore looked at Fudge meaningfully, his eyes becoming real through the crescent-shaped glasses.
Fudge staggered his gaze, letting Umbridge play freely.
"You mean the Dementors have defected? Dumbledore, this is a very serious charge, and you can't say something so irresponsible because of this liar boy."
"Cough!"
Umbridge looks at Alvin disapprovingly as if his cough disrupted her performance.
But Alvin completely ignored her with such a disgusting face. He couldn't bear to look at her directly and talk to Fudge.
"Minister Fudge, I don't think there should be a personal attack on something as serious as a hearing, isn't it?"
The rest of the Wizengamot members also looked at Fudge, putting a lot of pressure on him.
"Dolores, please pay attention to your words. Thank you."
Staring at Alvin angrily, Umbridge could only repeat it politely.
Harry retorted angrily. "Do you think I don't know that I can't cast spells outside school? I received a similar letter two years ago."
"It looks like you're still a repeat offender?" Umbridge looked at Harry with interest. "Do you think the Savior can have the privilege to cast spells at will outside of school?"
This time, Harry was so angry that he couldn't speak and looked at Dumbledore, looking for help.
"This matter has nothing to do with this case, and there is sufficient evidence to suggest that it was a house elf casting a spell."
Dumbledore stood up with great power in his body, and Umbridge only felt she was having trouble breathing.
Fudge, startled by Dumbledore's strong performance, turned to Alvin for help.
And Alvin didn't respond, still playing with his fingers as if there was some treasure in there.
"Ah, Albus, please keep calm. The Ministry of Magic will make a fair judgment." Fudge stammered. "Since Potter said that there were Dementors on Privet Drive, what evidence can he produce?"
Dumbledore's momentum was stagnant because Fudge had brought forward the hearing time. It would take some time for Mrs. Figg, the only witness, to arrive at the Ministry of Magic.
Seeing his performance, Fudge felt he had grasped Dumbledore's pain point and almost victory.
"What we do at the Ministry of Magic is evidence, and the fact is that we can only prove that Potter used magic."
"And everything he said was his words, Albus. What do you think?"
Fudge looked at Dumbledore expectantly. This was the last chance he gave Dumbledore.
They could get back together if Dumbledore relented and decided to give up Harry.
I am my Minister of Magic, and you are Hogwarts Headmaster. I still respect you very much.
However, Dumbledore disappointed Fudge.
"We may have to wait a while, and it will take some time for my witnesses to arrive."
Dumbledore's words shattered Fudge's thoughts, and he decided to launch a final attack.