Chapter 111
Their party then Floo'ed directly from Saint
Mungo's to Diagon Alley. Harry still had to
get used to not feeling the weight of the
spectacles on his face, or that he wasn't
looking through the odd dust particles and
soot that collected on the glass surfaces.
There was also an odd feeling associated
with the light breeze brushing over the skin
around his eyes he'd not felt before.
He realised it would take a little time to get
used to, but was happy for the chance to do
so.
"Where to, first?" asked Deece.
"Madam Malkin's," Daphne firmly replied.
"The sooner we get Harry out of those rags,
the better."
Entering the Alley proper they headed
directly to the store, entering to find it
completely lacking in any other customer.
Daphne practically dragged Harry to the little
round stands the store's witches used to
measure people up, and ordered him not to
move until he was told to.
When Daphne and Hermione explained to
the store witch what they wanted to happen,
she immediately ducked into the rear of the
store and brought back Madam Malkin,
herself.
"An entire wardrobe?" the plump little
middle aged witch asked.
"Everything," Daphne firmly replied. "Treat it
as if he has lost his entire wardrobe in a fire
except for what he's wearing, and even that
is damaged beyond repair."
"He's going to need wizarding and muggle
wear from top to bottom; in and out," cut in
Hermione. "Everything from outer and
formal robes to muggle underwear... he
wears boxers, by the way."
Both girls then nodded to the store owner,
who was looking back in surprise.
"Well, then," said Madam Malkin, with a
pleased little huff. "Let's get to it, then, shall
we?"
Out came the measuring tapes and Harry
was made to hold his arms out, spread his
legs, and otherwise be almost violated by the
magical measuring tape, as a quill was
working itself to fill out a form on a nearby
little pedestal.
While the tape was working, the store
assistant witch watched the parchment for a
few moments before she gave a nod and
moved away, ducking back out to the back of
the store.
She came back carrying a heap of clothing
and asked Harry, "Any preferences to
colour?"
Harry was about to reply when Daphne
replied instead. "Green to match his eyes.
Emerald, if you can. He also looks good in
Ravenclaw blue and bronze. Silver highlights,
where necessary. Potter crest on formal
robes. No reds, oranges or the like; the
colour does not suit him... unless it's a deep
red, such as burgundy, to highlight."
"Pale, or pastel greens would also work for
under robes," said Hermione. "It can be for a
shirt, or two. Same with pastel blue to go
with Royal and Navy blues. Creams, too.
That'll go well with anything of a deep
forest-like green. Browns, so long as it's dark.
And, of course, black, dark greys and white."
The store witch was taking notes.
"Do I get a say in this?" asked Harry a little
plaintively.
"No," said Hermione, as Daphne said, "Yes."
They looked at each other before Daphne
said, "You get to choose some of the styles.
Traditional or modern, for the cut of your
robes. The same for mugglewear. You get to
choose the style of shoe you're most
comfortable with... such as, pointed toe or
not. And, we'll let you choose some colours
for yourself, so long as we approve."
The look Harry gave both girls made Deece
almost burst out laughing. She had to hurry
away to the witch's side of the store before
she embarrassed herself by giggling.
"Harry," said Hermione. "You know we love
you, right?"
With a sigh, understanding where this was
going, he nodded.
"Then I mean no malice when I tell you your
fashion sense leaves a lot to be desired," she
firmly said. "Leave the selection of fashion to
Daphne and me. We'll make sure you look
good."
"Between us we have both wizarding and
muggle fashions covered," added Daphne.
"Now stop fussing and be a good boy." She
turned to make sure Deece wasn't paying too
much attention before she turned back and
softly said, "You'll be rewarded if you're a
good boy, alright?"
Harry's eyes widened as what she said
worked its way through his mind. He nodded
back with a look of anticipatory glee.
"Good," she firmly said, before turning to
Hermione and the two store witches. "Alright,
ladies; we have work to do."
For the next three hours Harry felt he must
have changed clothes over a hundred times
as robes, shirts, trousers, jeans, jumpers,
coats, hats, boots, shoes, belts, swimwear,
underwear, male jewellery, watches,
colognes, hair products and he forgot what
else was brought to him to try on. Some only
made it as far as being held to his chest for
shirts or his waist for pants before it was
discarded; some he managed to don before
he was told to strip it back off and it was
discarded. However, the pile of what was
considered acceptable grew, though not as
fast as the pile of discards. Or, the pile the
discards would have made if they weren't
being constantly removed and taken back
out back.
By the third hour, Harry was almost an
automaton. Without a word of complaint or
approval - which he realised was ignored,
anyway, during the first hour - he was
constantly in and out of the change booth. At
one time, Daphne joined him in the booth;
and, at another, Hermione did.
Finally, Daphne sighed and said, "I think
we're done."
"Oh, thank God," Harry groaned, to which
Deece laughed.
"Now us ladies need clothing to match," said
Daphne.
"Oh, good," Harry sighed, collapsing into a
chair. "Go have fun," he groaned.
Both witches glared at him and Hermione
said, "On your feet, Mister Potter."
"You need to see what it is we'd like and for
you to give your approval," explained
Daphne.
"Ladies, I have already learned... over the
past three hours... that my opinion is neither
needed or matters," he explained with a near
whine. "Why do you want to hear it now?"
"Because it's how it's done!" replied Daphne,
as if speaking to a small child.
Hermione then walked over and, taking him
by the hand, dragged him to the witch's side
of the store. He was practically dumped into
a 'husband/boyfriend' chair, sitting next to
Deece - who looked back at him with both
amusement and sympathy - and told to give
his opinion.
Both girls then entered side-by-side changing
booths carrying an armful of garments each.
Chapter 112
For the next hour Harry was treated to his
own 'runway' show with his two bondmates
acting as the models. They started off with
formal traditional robes and worked their
way through to modern informal muggle. At
first, Harry was just hoping the whole thing
would be over soon - or that the Headmaster
would turn up and drag him back to
Hogwarts - but, as the ladies progressed to
modern muggle summer wear, he started to
take more and more interest.
As they modelled, both girls spoke as to why
they selected to try on that particular outfit,
and to what Harry could wear to match.
Most of it went over his head; but he started
to become aware of how he'd been forced to
try on swimwear, and wondered what they'd
do to match. He got more and more eager
after each passing minute.
Deece had noticed and was quite amused. So
had both his bondmates.
With the sun dresses done, Madam Malkin
waved her wand and a large screen appeared,
cutting off that side of the store with the
rest.
Hermione came out first wearing a sleek one
piece swimming costume. It had a little
affixed skirt hanging from the hips to drop to
low thigh. Her bust was pushed almost flat
and some kind of ruffle further broke the line
of her breasts. It was predominantly dark
blue with other shades of blue to change the
lines. "For wearing in the wizarding world,"
she said, and clearly waited for his opinion.
"Ummm,' he muttered. "If you have to wear
that much material you should probably see
if they have it in reds, russets, browns and
oranges. Actually, something like deciduous
leaves at autumn. That would best go with
your skin, hair and eyes."
She turned to the mirror and asked, "Are you
sure? I usually go for blues and the like."
Deece said, "No, I think he's right. Try it and
see."
The store witch who was in there with them
looked from Deece back to Hermione, gave a
firm nod and disappeared back beyond the
screen.
In the mean time, Hermione returned to the
changing booth as Daphne came out. Hers
was a similar style but in black with a
shimmer of greens and silver.
Harry immediately said, "Try it in an aqua."
Deece nodded and said, "I agree."
When the store witch returned with a new
wizarding witch swimsuit for Hermione, she
held it over the top of the door of the change
room for her. When she removed her arm a
moment later it was holding the old suit.
Daphne caught her attention and, indicating
her swimming costume, said, "Do you have
this in an aqua?"
"I'll see," the witch replied, leaving with
Hermione's first swimsuit.
Hermione returned a moment later wearing
the new suit. "Wow!" exclaimed Harry as
soon as he saw it.
"Yeah, wow!" said Daphne, looking the girl
over. "That really suits you!"
"Indeed," said Deece.
"I never thought to wear these colours
before," said Hermione looking down.
"They suit you," said Deece. "We may have
to consider your other choices in light of
this."
Harry lightly groaned.
With a smirk towards him, Deece said, "You
should have thought of that before."
"No, keep what you've got," said Daphne.
"We can always shop for more in
Hogsmeade."
Harry let out a quiet sigh of relief.
When the sales witch brought back another
suit for Daphne, she took it into the change
room and changed into it. When she came
out Deece and Hermione both immediately
said, "Yes." To which Harry had to agree.
Daphne blushed a little and said, "From this
point on, Harry, you need to go back over to
the other side of the screen."
Hermione blushed and, looking at Harry,
nodded.
"What?" he whined. "But, we're just getting
to the good stuff!"
"Out, Mister!" Daphne demanded.
"But, you saw me..." he tried, before she
interrupted him.
While sticking her arm out and pointing a
finger to the other side of the store, she
barked, "Out!"
"That's not..." he tried, again.
"Out!" barked Hermione.
"Oh, come on!"
"OUT!" Hermione, Daphne and even Deece
demanded. Deece had even started pushing
him by his shoulder in the direction of the
screen.
"Fine!" he grumped, throwing both hands up
and almost stomping out. The store witch
gave him a look mixed between amusement
and pity as he passed. From what he saw of
what she was carrying, he almost looked
plaintively back.
Back on the other side, he found a seat and
sat down to wait.
From behind the screen he heard whispering,
giggling and gasps of - whatever. He really
wanted to see what was going on over the
other side of that blasted screen.
With a sigh he thought, 'I know we don't
want people to know just how far we've
progressed the bonds, but this is ridiculous.'
While he was sitting and waiting he looked
around and saw that all the clothing he
would be purchasing was neatly packaged on
the counter, waiting. He couldn't even go
through it to take a better look, now that he
actually had time to do so.
When the girls were finally finished, they're
selections were all wrapped on the other
side of the screen and brought around.
Madam Malkin vanished the screen and
Harry was called to the counter to make
payment.
He heard what the final price was and looked
gob smacked. "I don't have that much on
me!" he complained.
Daphne rolled her eyes and grabbed his right
hand, holding it up. "Pay for it with your ring,
Harry," she said a little exasperated with him.
"The funds will be automatically transferred
from your vaults to Madam Malkins's
business vault."
Harry did as instructed and, moments later,
all their packages had been shrunk and
dumped in his pockets.
Chapter 113
As they left the store, he complained, "Can
we eat now? I'm starved!"
"An excellent idea," replied Deece. "Come. I
have just the place in mind."
She led the three of them to a small
restaurant. As she entered, the 'waiter'
approached and smarmed, "Ah, Madam
Greengrass. It is most nice to see you again.
Party of four, is it?"
"Yes please, Pierre," she confidently replied.
The four were led to a small table and were
immediately served.
Finishing their light lunch, which Deece paid
for, Hermione asked if they could do a quick
trip around the stores to pick up mail order
catalogues.
"Don't worry about it, Hermione," Daphne
gently said. "For basically everything for
which we need mail order, we've got the
order forms and brochures."
"But, what if they've updated," she tried.
"Then, because we're on their mailing list,
they'll let us know," Daphne countered. "It's
in their own best interest to do so."
"I guess," sighed Hermione.
"So, are we all done?" asked Deece, after the
girls stopped 'arguing'.
"Yes, I think so," replied Daphne.
"Then it's back to school with you three," the
older witch firmly said.
Again using the Floo at the Leaky Cauldron,
the four Floo'ed back to the Three
Broomsticks. As Deece escorted them to the
gates, Harry held back to speak to her.
"Deece?" he asked. "Thank you very much
for today," he said a little emotionally.
Deece turned and smiled at him, recognising
the depth of his gratitude. "You're very
welcome, Harry. It's what family is for. And,
we are family now."
At the gates, Harry stopped and, at the spur
of the moment, quickly hugged the woman.
"Again; thank you."
Deece just nodded back, a little emotional at
Harry's own expression of emotion and
gratitude.
As he stepped back, both girls moved in and
hugged her, before all three re-entered the
school.
Harry half-expected either Dumbledore or
McGonagall to be waiting for them inside the
Entrance Hall. That they weren't, surprised
him.
"I don't think the Headmaster knew we... or
I... left the castle, today," he mused.
The three immediately climbed the stairs and
used the hidden passageways to make their
way back to their apartment.
Once inside, Harry sighed heavily before
collapsing back onto one of the couches.
He watched both his bondmates then go
through the ritual of checking for listening
and monitoring charms. None were found.
"Alright, love," said Daphne. "Out with the
packages."
Harry practically groaned climbing back to his
feet. But, once standing again, he started
emptying his pockets of shrunken parcels. He
spread them along the couch and watched as
Daphne began at one end re-enlarging them,
checking the contents and separating them
into different piles. Hermione was doing the
same from her end.
Soon enough, they had all parcels unshrunk
and three piles each.
Hermione picked the first pile up and asked
Daphne, "Which one is yours, love?"
Daphne indicated one of hers and Hermione
added her arm load to that pile. Then
Daphne did the same with what she had of
Hermione's.
"Alright, Harry," said Daphne, before she
pointed to the two remaining piles. "Both of
those are yours. Have Dobby take them into
your room and put them away for you.
Hermione and I will call Winky and ask her to
do the same for us."
Instead of waiting, both elves popped in and
Dobby asked, "Did Master and Misses ask for
Dobby and Winky?"
"Yes, thank you," replied Daphne. She then
looked at Winky and indicated the two piles
for her and Hermione. "This set of parcels is
clothing for me; and that set of parcels is
clothing for Hermione. Can you put them
away for us?"
"Certainly, Miss," Winky replied. She
snapped her fingers and both piles of parcels
disappeared before she followed them.
Turning to Dobby, Daphne said, "The
remainder is Harry's new clothing. Can you
put it away for him, please? And get rid of his
old clothes except for his school stuff, too."
"Certainly, Miss," replied Dobby before he,
too, popped away with the parcels.
"Hey!" exclaimed Harry a little
mock-offended. "What if there was any
clothing in there I wanted to keep?"
"Why?" she shot back. "You don't need rags.
And that's all those clothes are good for."
A little softer she instructed, "Now, go get
changed out of those rags into something
more befitting our future husband."
With a groan, Harry made his way into his
bedroom. He found Dobby had already
unpacked everything for him, and magically
pressed what needed to be ironed or pressed,
as everything was wrinkle free and ready to
wear.
He pulled out a new pair of underwear, a pair
of black jeans, shirt, socks, new trainers, and
a light pullover due to the in-creeping chill.
And quickly changed into them.
He threw his dirty laundry into the hamper
inside the bathroom door and returned to
the living room. He had expected to see the
girls waiting for him, but they weren't. Even
Crookshanks was absent. So, he went back
and pulled out his book bag to do some
homework before dinner.
He'd just settled down when Hermione
re-entered from her bedroom. She stopped
on seeing him sitting on the couch. "Stand up
for me, love," she ordered.
With an almost sub-vocal groan Harry
climbed back to his feet. She then used her
finger to give him the gesture to slowly turn
around both girls used on him in Madam
Malkin's. So, he did a slow pirouette.
When he'd completed his turn, she smirked
and said, "That'll do nicely."
"What'll do nicely?" asked Daphne, walking
back in. She took a long look at Harry and
said, "Yes, that will do nicely."
Harry looked at both witches and noticed
they, too, were wearing nice clothes they'd
'paraded' in Diagon Alley earlier. He smiled
and said, "You both look beautiful."
Chapter 114
After working on assignments - and
progressing Harry's knowledge of Ancient
Runes for a while, Hermione suggested, "It's
nearing time for dinner. How about we put
on some light make-up and make an
entrance in to the Great Hall?"
"Well, I'll leave the make-up off, if it's all the
same with you," snorted Harry. "And I'll let
you ladies go do what you need to do while I
tidy up a bit."
After they'd both thrown wads of parchment
at him, both girls went to put a little light
make-up on, before rejoining him in the
living room. A tidier living room with all their
work neatly stacked on the coffee table to be
returned to after dinner, if they wanted.
Escorting both girls down to Great Hall, Harry
led them to the Ravenclaw table to sit, once
more, opposite Luna.
Leaning forward he asked the younger
Ravenclaw, "Is this spot at table reserved for
us three, or something?"
Luna seemed to think about that for a few
moments before she replied, "I'm unsure.
Since the Professor told everyone off, no one
but you three has talked to me."
"No one?" asked Hermione, her voice
dropping to a level that her two bondmates
recognised as anger.
"No," replied Luna, giving a bit of a shrug. "At
least they're no longer being mean to me."
"How about after dinner you come and join
us three in our apartment, for a little while,"
invited Daphne. Turning to Harry, she asked,
"How about you go have a look at the
Ravenclaw library and see if there's anything
in there about basic Ancient Runes?"
"I think that's a wonderful idea," replied
Harry, overly calm.
"Oh!" exclaimed Luna. "There's a book
called Runes Made Easy you might want to
have a look at."
"Thank you, Luna," replied Harry. "I think I
must do exactly that."
After dinner Harry escorted all three ladies
back to the seventh floor and the Ravenclaw
corridor. He ensured his two bondmates
were safely back in their apartment, and
escorted Luna into the Ravenclaw common
room. He waited for her in the common
room as she went up to her dorm to retrieve
her assignments and books; and watched
how the rest of the House interacted with
her as he pulled the Runes Made Easy book
off the shelf of the House library. Mainly, he
watched their body language and overt
behaviour.
As they walked in, he saw how many of them
sneered at her - until they spotted Harry
behind her; or simply turned away,
pretending she wasn't there. They were
deliberately turning their backs on her.
When she came skipping back down he
smiled to her and quietly said, "I'm going to
explore the library for a little bit. Go join the
girls in our apartment, alright?"
"Alright, Harry," she chirped; and skipped
back out beyond the eagle guardian.
As soon as she left he watched the other
Housemates for a short time and saw how
they all altered their demeanours once she
left. Their cold shoulder treatment was
clearly deliberate.
"Right!" he muttered.
Angrily, he stormed over to the foot of the
stairs and snagged a young girl who
appeared to be a first year and muttered to
her, "Go up the stairs in the girl's side of the
dorms and quickly let them all know there's
a meeting in the common room. Now;
please."
Sensing his anger, and a little afraid, she took
off up the stairs at a run.
Once she was on her way he turned to the
stairs leading to the boys dorms and climbed
to the top before turning around and coming
back down. As he did so he banged on each
door and called to whoever was in, "Meeting
in the common room. Now!"
Once back in the common room, Harry went
to stand near the entrance and waited. He
was practically radiating anger. It did not take
long for the others in the common room to
begin to notice. The boys came down from
their dorms, and the rest of the girls were
coming down from theirs. Their asking what
was going on, soon had everyone wondering
the same.
A sixth year, Peter Timmons - Harry recalled
his name - saw Harry and called, "What is
your problem, Potter?"
Harry glared back and practically snarled, "Sit
your arse down, Timmons. We'll wait for the
others to come out of their dorms."
Timmons looked back in shock but said
nothing further. The anger pouring off Harry
was near palpable. It was enough to make
even the senior years shut up and pay
attention.
When the last few dribbles of students came
down from the dorms, chittering away,
wondering what was happening, Harry took
two steps forward and barked, "Shut the fuck
up!"
Those who weren't immediately cowed silent
shut up anyway, staring back in shock.
When he knew he had their complete
attention, and before they could voice their
ire back, he snarled, "I cannot believe this is
supposed to be the House of intelligence and
wit. Because, by fuck, I'm not seeing it!
"It wasn't that long ago you all had your
arses well and truly reamed by your Head of
House, Professor Flitwick, over your
collective behaviour towards Miss Luna
Lovegood. You were all told, in no uncertain
terms, that Miss Lovegood has Ravenclaw's
Gift. Clearly, not one of you fucking morons
bothered to find out what that meant! Or
just didn't bother to share it with your
Housemates.
"So, I'm going to spell it out for you and,
hopefully, it'll enter those dainty little ears
and reach that grey mush you refer to as
your brains; where it may begin the slow and
laborious process of creating an
understanding of just what that means.
"Ravenclaw's Gift means Miss Lovegood can
literally see magic. She sees auras. She can
see that of which only those with mage sight
have a limited understanding. That is why
she seems... shall we say... a bit spacey, at
times. She can see that which you idiots
cannot, and it's caught her attention.
"Now, just because you have no
understanding of what it is she's capable of;
does not give you the right to behave so
appallingly towards her!
"And don't you dare try and tell me you
haven't been," he snarled when it appeared
some of the older years were about to
rebuke. "It took me only seconds after
walking in here to figure out what you're
doing. It took me only moments to recognise
the passive-aggressive bullshit you're now
engaged in to shun her. You may think you're
being oh so fucking clever. You're not!
Chapter 115
"So, I'm going to lay it out for the lot of you
so you have a chance to fucking understand.
If there is one person currently in this House
that epitomises all there is to be a Ravenclaw,
it's Luna Lovegood. If it came to a decision
whether it was her, or you morons, as to who
would remain in Ravenclaw if a re-sort had to
occur, I assure you she'd win hands down! I
would not be one tiniest bit surprised if
young Luna proved to be Lady Rowena
Ravenclaw's magical Heir.
"Luna is a sweet and caring child. She wishes
no ill-will to anyone. She is extremely
intelligent and, if you get to know her, you
will see she has a wicked sense of humour. In
other words, she has intelligence and wit in
full measure. That she has remained so
sweet and caring, after the appalling
treatment you wankers have directed
towards her, is astonishing.
"You all heard Professor Flitwick offer himself
as Luna's Personal Champion. For you
magical-raised you know exactly what that
means. If Luna was to inform him of your
recent behaviour towards her, he would
have no choice but to challenge to combat of
arms the arse of each and every one of you!
"So, here's my flat-out threat to you all: Drop
the passive-aggressive shit... right the fuck
now... or, by this time tomorrow, you'll need
to be organising duelling robes for yourselves.
You'll then be facing a renowned
International duelling champion across the
floor of the piste. Because, if Luna won't tell
him, I will!"
With one last cold glare and partial sneer at
them all, Harry spun about and stormed from
the room, back out into the corridor outside.
He left the room in stunned and fearful
silence.
"What the fuck was that?" exclaimed one
senior male House member.
"Well, since you're too stupid to have figured
it out," said one of the senior girls. "That was
us, yet again, getting a well-deserved verbal
spanking. And I, for one, am getting sick and
tired of having to be the subject of one."
"And, what was that again about
Ravenclaw's Gift?" asked one of the younger
years.
"It is believed Rowena Ravenclaw had the
gift of natural mage sight," she answered.
"She lived with the ability of being able to
see magic and all pertaining to it. Clearly,
Potter and the Professor agree that Miss
Lovegood has the same ability."
"What's passive-aggressive mean?" asked
one of the younger, magical-raised.
"It means bullying her by shunning her; by
actively ignoring her," answered another.
"And he's right. That's exactly what's been
happening these past couple of weeks."
"But, she got us all in trouble!" complained
the same person.
"No, she didn't," the same girl replied. "You
got yourselves in trouble by bullying her in
the first place. You got caught. It's your own
fault. And, I'm quite sick of copping the
blame for your actions. Miss Lovegood was
the victim; not the cause. Stop blaming the
victim for your own actions."
And, with that, the girl turned about and
stormed off, back up the stairs to her dorm.
Harry waited out in the corridor until he'd
calmed again before walking into their
apartment.
Both his bondmates looked at him as he gave
a firm single nod back. Luna looked up and
asked, "Where's your book?"
Holding it up, Harry replied, "Right here."
"Well, we've been making a bit of headway
in our various projects and assignments,"
Daphne cut in, hoping to derail that
particular talk. "Come sit down and we'll go
through it."
With a smile on his face, Harry walked over
and sat on one of the couches to make a start
on some assignments. And the four of them
enjoyed an evening of working on
assignments liberally interspersed with
conversation and general fellowship.
The next Saturday saw the three bondmates
waiting in the Entrance Hall for Matthias to
come and collect them in their brand new
good quality wizarding robes. The necessity
was due to Dumbledore's 'antics' in trying to
get Harry not to attend the court hearing for
the Weasleys. By leaving early, they negated
any chance of Dumbledore attempting a last
ditch effort within the school to block them
from attending the trial.
However, Matthias, as pre-planned, was
early. And the three left the school before
the Headmaster even knew they were gone.
Immediately outside the gates waited Deece.
After hugs and greetings, both adult
Greengrasses side-along apparated the three
away from Hogsmeade and the school. They
arrived, not at the Ministry, but in a large
home.
"Welcome to Greengrass Farm," said
Matthias, gesturing out wide with his arm
while both adults beamed at the three teens.
Daphne laughed out loud with glee. "Oh, you
two!" she mock-scowled at her parents.
"Hermione," Harry said, in a little awe, "I
think we just got pranked."
"No, just surprised," she replied, with a
giggle.
"Well, we've got almost an hour before we
need to be in court," said Matthias. "How
about a quick tour of the house?"
"We'd not cover the whole house, father,"
disagreed Daphne.
"Just the main house, daughter," corrected
Matthias with just the bare hint of emphasis
on 'daughter'. It caused Daphne to blush just
a little.
"Sorry, Dad" she muttered. Turning to Harry
and Hermione she beckoned them both and
said, "Come. I'll show you where your rooms
will be."
The main house of Greengrass Farm was two
stories and slightly larger than the 'outlier'
fully equipped houses each side. Daphne
didn't take either of them to either outlier
house, though. She just took them upstairs to
the upper of the two stories of the main
house. Here were located the bedrooms,
ladies' sitting room, activities room and guest
bedrooms for close family guests.
Daphne indicated where the Master of the
House's main bedroom was located down
one direction off the hallway, and then
promptly led them down the opposite
direction.
She indicated her and Astoria's rooms at the
end, with hers at the front and Astoria's at
the rear. Between her bedroom and the
stairs, at the front of the house, she showed
them two more bedrooms. "These will be
yours," she said. "That is, of course, unless
we finalise the bonds before then. And
immediately blushed.
"I don't know if it'll happen before Christmas,
or even Easter, Daphne" Harry said quietly
and a little amused. "But, I certainly hope it
happens before summer break."
Chapter 116
"I hope so, too," said Hermione equally
quietly.
With a little throat clearing cough, Daphne
said, "Anyway. The ladies' parlour now."
She then led them back across to the landing
for the stairs. And led them into a room
whose double doors were opposite. "This is
the ladies' parlour," she said. Turning to
Harry she said, "Normally, no males allowed.
However, we've found it better to at least let
the menfolk see the room at least once,
when it's not otherwise in use. It tends to
stop you men being nosey when it is."
That caused Hermione to laugh as Daphne
grinned.
With a sniff of mock-haughtiness, Harry
replied, "I... am not nosey; I am merely...
inquisitive."
"Uh-huh!" laughed Hermione. "You just keep
telling yourself that."
Cutting the timings to the last minutes,
Matthias Floo'ed them to the Ministry and
led them directly to Courtroom Two on the
second floor, near the DMLE offices.
As soon as they arrived, the rather excited
auror who was awaiting them immediately
led the three into an adjoining witness's
waiting room. Ackerman was waiting for
them inside.
"Mister Potter, you were very nearly late,"
the man sighed in frustration.
"Sorry Stewart; it couldn't be helped,"
replied Harry, not all that sorry at all. "It was
necessary to save us from being, yet again,
waylaid by Dumbledore."
"Why is he interfering?" asked the solicitor.
"The Weasleys are one of his most avid
supporters outside of the Wizengamot,"
replied Harry. "He's doing everything he can
to ensure none of them end up in Azkaban.
For one, it would be a major mark of shame
against him, at a time he really cannot afford
any more; and for two, he'd probably lose
their support if Molly ends up incarcerated.
She, as the muggles say, wears the pants
in that family."
"That explains a lot," muttered Ackerman.
It was about fifteen minutes later when
Harry was called in to testify. Ackerman
walked with him and indicated the witness
podium Harry was to ascend.
Looking around, he saw Molly, Ronald and
Ginevra sitting at the furthest of two
side-by-side tables. Ronald was glaring at
him with a great deal of malice. Ginevra
glanced at him as if pleading for leniency and
was quite sad. Molly was looking as if she
was about to faint and sat at the table
between her two children and looking as if
she was trying hard to wish it all away.
After being sworn in, Harry was questioned
over what had happened to make him take
the goblet of pumpkin juice to Professor
McGonagall and why he suspected that the
juice had been dosed. But, when questions
were asked about the first of the month - the
forming of their bond - Ackerman objected
and the question was overruled.
Once he'd given his evidence, and was
cross-examined by the solicitor for the
Weasleys, he was released and allowed into
the visitors' gallery for the rest of the trial.
The defendants' solicitor had tried to trip
Harry up on how he handled the goblet from
the time he picked it up from the Gryffindor
table to placing it before Professor
McGonagall. And alluded to how Harry could
have easily tampered with it.
Hermione was called next, and she gave the
same testimony as Harry. However, she also
gave evidence over what had happened the
morning of the First of September at The
Burrow, and what she witnessed there.
As she went into details of what she saw,
Molly burst into tears. Harry guessed she
knew Hermione's testimony just saw her
defence well and truly sunk.
Daphne was next and gave a similar
testimony to Harry's.
Next came Professor McGonagall, then
Professor Flitwick, and finally Professor
Snape.
Though he appeared reluctant to do so, even
going so far as to glance at Dumbledore who
was sitting in the assembled's tiers, he
provided expert testimony as to what
potions were within the goblet at the time
Harry brought it to the head table.
After the Hogwarts' 'contingent' gave their
testimony, the DMLE's aurors and experts
gave theirs. They spoke of the interviews of
both Weasley children at the school, and
later at the DMLE, and the same with Molly
at The Burrow and DMLE.
Their statements were submitted as evidence,
which the defence tried to have thrown out
and failed.
After the prosecution wrapped up, the
defence then had their own witnesses. These
included a potions expert, who claimed
neither of the Weasley children had the skills
necessary to brew such potions; a child
mind-healer, who gave testimony on the
state of mind of both children speaking of
how Ginny had a hero-worship mindset that
had her believing Harry was her own
personal knight in shining armour, and had
ongoing mind trauma from the eight months
of possession by the 'memory' of Voldemort.
That last one had Dumbledore wincing in his
chair.
As for Ronald, the mind-healer gave
testimony that he was suffering from strong
feelings of inadequacy compared to his
brothers; jealousy of his brothers, of Harry's
fame and those who had money as he saw
his family as poor; and an over-bearing
mother.
It was not hard to see that Molly was being
'sacrificed' to ensure her children did not
face having their wands snapped and magic
bound.
Harry just sighed and shook his head. Turning
to look directly at Dumbledore, Harry glared
at the man with a mien of absolute fury.
Perhaps feeling Harry's eyes upon him,
Dumbledore turned to look directly at Harry
and, seeing his expression, paled.
Staring at Dumbledore, Harry almost
discretely jabbed his index finger at both
Weasley children before slowly making the
throat cut gesture known around the world
as being killed.
To Dumbledore, it was obvious Harry had
figured out what was going on. His plan to
convince Molly to sacrifice herself for her
children's wellbeing, and appease Harry at
the same time, had failed.
When those assembled of the Wizengamot
returned to their seats after departing to
deliberate, the Acting Chief Warlock gave the
determination.
Molly was sentenced to six months minimum
security in Azkaban while both children were
'sentenced' to attend mandatory weekly
counselling sessions with a mind-healer from
Saint Mungo's for the next twelve months.
Both children escaped having permanent
criminal records so long as they attended the
mandatory sessions.
But, worse for the bondmates, both were
allowed to return to Hogwarts. However,
their Head of House was to be informed...
Chapter 117
even though she was already there... that
any rule-breaking was to see both children
expelled, immediately. Any further criminal
actions by either would see the full weight of
the law come down upon them, and an
added six months minimum at Azkaban
would be added to their sentences.
As soon as the sentences were read, Molly
began wailing while both children huddled
into her from each side. However, when Ron
realised he wasn't going to be going to prison
just yet, Harry could see he was visibly
relieved. Ginny didn't even look like she'd
heard.
Casting his eyes around the gallery, Harry
could see that the Professors all looked sad.
However, beyond them, Harry could see
Arthur quietly sobbing while his four eldest
bar Percy surrounded and tried to comfort
him. Percy was not in attendance, on the day.
On a different note, no trial ended up being
held for those who attacked Daphne and
Hermione, as Flint readily admitted to the
event. He received a legal rap over the
knuckles, was placed on a good behaviour
bond enforced by magical vow, and allowed
to return to school. His two accomplices
claimed they had no idea Flint was going to
hurt another when they accompanied him,
and there was no proof, so were released
with warnings to stay away from Flint when
not specifically in class.
As promised, articles began to appear in
the Daily Prophet regarding Harry that Miss
Pentridge organised. The first was a long
statement concerning Harry's ire at those
who had used his name without his
permission.
By rights, Dumbledore should have been on
top of that issue from the start. However, the
old man did nothing to stop it. Harry strongly
believed it was because the old man believed
it all helped to make Harry out as the hero of
the magical world, and would lead to Harry
eventually being willing to face Voldemort.
When the first article appeared, Harry was
again summoned to the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore tried to convince him not to
take that path; but, Harry firmly retorted that
Dumbledore should have been protecting his
interests as his magical guardian, but had not.
Harry firmly laid the blame back on
Dumbledore's shoulders and wouldn't let the
old man slide out from under it.
The next article, three days later, was the
article about Harry's mail; and how 'he' was
now aware of its existence and was steadily
working through it all with the promise that
as many people as he could manage would
receive a response, no matter how belated it
was.
Again, Harry was called to the Headmaster's
office.
"Harry, I thought we'd spoken about this,"
the old man said.
"We had, Sir," replied Harry. "It was only
three days ago and I recall the conversation
quite well."
"I thought we had agreed you'd not be
contacting the media about these sorts of
issues again," the Headmaster said.
"No, Sir, we did not," Harry firmly replied.
"You told me you did not like that I and my
bondmates were doing it. However, I just as
firmly explained to you why I felt the need
was necessary. It was my belief we'd agreed
you'd not attempt to stop me in what I
needed to do."
With a very much over-acted sigh, the
Headmaster said, "I did not agree, Harry. And
I do not believe you should in future. You are
too young to understand the great care
needed when speaking with the media. Your
reputation can suffer great harm if care is not
exercised. That's why I believe all such
further correspondence should come to me,
first."
"Oh," said Harry, pretending to understand.
"I understand, Sir. However, you need not
worry about it any further."
"Excellent," the Headmaster sighed.
"No, Sir. That's why I... that is, 'we'... send
everything to my solicitors, first. They then
go through everything with their
understanding and expertise of law and
communicating with the media before
anything is sent on. So you see, Sir. There's
no need to worry, at all.
"Secondly, you made it quite clear to me that
you did not have the time to take care of
little matters relating to me such as taking
care of my mail, checking up on my care at
the abusive hands of my supposed relatives,
and other important matters relating to your
role as my magical guardian. So, I'm at a loss
as to when you'd have the time to do all
these things now.
"However, thank you for caring enough to
mention it, Sir. I'm glad we had this little chat.
Will that be all?"
With a small look of frustration, Dumbledore
dismissed him once more.
Another three days later and the 'big one' hit
the Daily Prophet. This time it made the front
page.
* # *
THE BOY-WHO-LIVED - HIS LIFE, HIS WORDS
We've Been Lied To!
In his own words, Harry Potter (14), the
Boy-Who-Lived, has given us the exclusive
story of his life from the night of the attack
by You-Know-Who on the cottage of his
parents in Godric's Hollow that fateful
Halloween, until now. Except for what we
know happened, that night, everything you
thought you knew about the life Potter lived
is a lie! reports Samuel Finklewright.
* # *
The majority of the article was written
almost entirely as the girls wrote everything
down the weekend of the twentieth &
twenty first of September. The only things
added were the first and last paragraphs.
* # *
With this information, this reporter is one
who is appalled by the treatment our young
hero has endured these past twelve years.
Where was his so-called magical guardian,
Albus Dumbledore? Where were those
charged with watching over our war orphans?
How did this manage to escape the notice of
those paid to watch for this sort of criminal
action? This reporter is one person who
demands answers!
* # *
Unsurprisingly, a few minutes after the owls
delivered the morning copies of the Daily
Prophet, Harry was once more called to the
Headmaster's office.
As soon as Harry led his two bondmates into
the office, Harry said, "Headmaster,
we really need to stop meeting like this.
People are already starting to wonder why
you're taking such a close interest in my
affairs!"
"Sit down, Mister Potter," the Headmaster
firmly commanded. It was clear the
Headmaster was struggling to maintain his
composure, he was that angry.
Not pushing it, Harry and his two bondmates
took the three chairs that now occupied the
space across from the Headmaster's desk
each time Harry was called to attend the
office.
Chapter 118
Once they were sitting, Dumbledore growled
out, "Mister Potter, we have discussed this! I
am beyond angry that this..." he jabbed his
finger at the front page of the Daily
Prophet sitting folded on his desk before him,
"... has become public knowledge.
"You have now placed the lives of your aunt,
uncle and cousin in peril! It will not take long
for their location to be discovered, if it hasn't
already. I'm going to have to take steps to see
they're protected even further. That's time I
do not have to waste."
"First, Headmaster," replied Harry. "Why
would you need to, as you put it, take steps
to protect them? The so-called wards you
placed on the property should be enough.
Otherwise, I either should not have been
dumped there, or they were sufficient in all
the time I was there.
"In other words, Sir, if you need to 'take
steps', as you put it, why were those steps
not taken while I was still living there? And,
second, I really couldn't care any less
whether my so-called relatives are protected
or not than I do right now. As far as I'm
concerned they can reap what they sowed. If
the wizarding world comes down on them
like a ton of bricks, I wish I could be there to
cheer them on!
"If I thought I could have removed my
relatives from the equation that keeps
you insisting I get sent back to their abuse
just by speaking with the Prophet, I'd have
done this in my first year. So, Sir, I really don't
care. Actually, I'm right pleased!"
Dumbledore collapsed into his chair and
looked back at Harry with a pained
expression. "Do you really care that little
about the safety of your relatives, Harry?"
"I care a great deal, Sir. I care that much I
utterly despise them; and, I care that much I
keep thinking up ways to make their life
almost as much of a living Hell as they made
mine. I don't think they could have survived
what I went through, though. I don't
think I truly did, either."
With Harry's words in his ears, the
Headmaster dismissed them.
Just as Harry opened the door to usher his
ladies through, the Headmaster called to him.
"How many more of these articles can we
expect, Mister Potter?" He was clearly
dreading the answer. And he was right to do
so.
With a shrug, Harry called back. "As many as
it takes, Sir. As many as it takes for the
wizarding world to know and understand the
truth; the whole truth." Without waiting for
a response, he left.
The next morning, Harry received a summons
to appear before an emergency session of
the Wizengamot to be held the next
afternoon to provide evidence regarding his
living conditions based off the latest Daily
Prophet article.
He immediately approached Professor
Flitwick and, showing him the summons,
advised the Professor he'd be taking
Hermione and Daphne with him.
"Why?" asked the Professor. He wasn't being
reluctant or suspicious, he was just being
curious.
"Because the girls are the ones who actually
wrote most of the article that the
Wizengamot want to question me about. As
such, they're central to the enquiry."
The Professor nodded and said, "Will you be
safe enough to make your own way there?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry. "However, we'll ask
for Daphne's folks to come and collect us.
Just in case someone decides it would be
unsafe for us to travel on our own." He had
no need to clarify whom he meant.
Daphne immediately sent a letter off to her
parents, while Harry sent off a letter to
Stewart Ackerman, his solicitor.
After morning classes the next day, the three
returned to their apartment to change into
something a little more formal. Just like last
time, Harry was just planning on wearing
plain robes over muggle clothing. However,
Dobby put a stop to that by pulling out a set
of wizarding under robe wear and a set of his
finest robes with the Potter family crest on
the breast.
"Yous must make an impression, Master
Harry," the little elf firmly said. "Yous must
dress the part. Dobby's bad old master made
sure Dobby knew this."
After getting dressed and waiting for the girls
- who both dressed in fashionable,
well-presentable witches' wizarding robes -
the three made their way down to the
Entrance Hall. They were expecting Matthias
to soon arrive and take them to the Ministry.
As expected, though, the Headmaster turned
up and attempted to stop him from going.
"I'll explain to the members it was unsafe for
you to venture out of the school, Harry; given
the amount of recent press coverage you've
endured," the old man tried. "They'll
understand."
"And I understand, Sir, that a summonse is
not to be so carelessly ignored," retorted
Harry. "As for my safety, that is being taken
care of."
"I'm afraid I must insist you stay in the school,
Mister Potter," the Headmaster firmly stated.
"I do not give you permission to skip your
afternoon classes."
"And I'm afraid I must insist you not interfere,
Headmaster," retorted Harry. "I have already
cleared this with the person who makes the
determination under the school charter, our
Head of House, Professor Flitwick."
The argument continued until Matthias
walked in the main doors.
"What's going on?" he asked, a little angrily,
having caught the last moments of the
argument.
The Headmaster turned to him and stated
almost imperiously, "I cannot grant Mister
Potter's request for him to leave the school.
Given the recent articles in the Daily
Prophet it is unsafe for Mister Potter to be
outside the safety of the castle's wards."
"Too bad," Matthias shot back. "Mister
Potter has been summonsed and he will
attend; as will my daughter and Miss Granger
as his witnesses as to the statements made
in the Prophet."
Before the Headmaster could respond,
Matthias continued. "If you further attempt
to hinder him in his required responsibility to
the Wizengamot, I will state before that body
how you deliberately blocked him from
attending. I will also allude it was because
you are attempting to hide your crimes
relating to this matter from them; and
demand an immediate investigation into the
offices of both the Chief Warlock and the
Headmaster of Hogwarts."
He stepped in closer and firmly threatened,
"Don't attempt to block this any further,
Albus. I can, and will, make your continued
tenure in both or either position extremely
difficult for you to maintain."
While both men then glared at each other,
Harry gestured to the two girls to follow him
outside. The three then waited for Matthias
to join them; which he did, a few moments
later.
Chapter 119
"Come," stated Matthias walking out the
doors, clearly still quite angry.
Harry quietly said, "Now you see why I
suggested you arrive early, last time. I
expected this sort of thing to happen."
After walking to the Three Broomsticks, the
four Floo'ed directly to the atrium in the
Ministry.
Leading his three charges, Matthias led them
directly to the security checkpoint - where
their wands were 'weighed' as usual - before
they were taken directly to the Wizengamot
chambers.
Surprisingly, there were quite a few visitors
sitting in the visitors' gallery, even though
they were about fifteen minutes early.
As soon as they walked in, Stewart Ackerman
came down and said to Harry, "Mister Potter;
it's good to see you again. As per your
request, I'll be providing you legal counsel
during your testimony."
While they were talking, Matthias pulled one
of the stationed aurors aside and said a few
quick words to him, before he turned to look
at Harry.
"Harry, Stewart... Auror Robards, here, is
going to take you into a side room where
you'll wait until called, alright?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Harry, automatically. "May
I ask why?"
"You're being called as a witness," replied
Matthias.
"I'm aware of that, Sir," said Harry. "However,
this is not a criminal trial; only an enquiry."
"Yes, I'm aware," replied Ackerman.
"However, it is an enquiry that may well lead
to a criminal trial... or more than one. As
such, you need to be sequestered until
called."
With a sigh of frustration, Harry said,
"Understood."
"Follow me," replied Robards. "I stay with
you until you're released after your
testimony."
"Oh, very well," muttered Harry.
The auror then led Harry and Stewart across
the floor and out a small door at the other
end of the visitors' gallery. He crossed a
narrow hallway and straight through another
door into a small room.
Inside, there were a couple of small lounges
and magazines stacked on occasional tables.
A water cooler stood alone between two
chairs. It was pretty much the same room,
same chairs, and same magazines as the
Weasley trial in Courtroom Two.
With a sub vocal sigh, Harry went and sat on
one of the chairs with a table stacked with
magazines on his left. Then started going
through them, looking for something
interesting to read. Auror Robards stood just
outside.
Ackerman said, "Harry, I need you to listen to
me for a few moments, alright?"
Harry put the magazine he'd just picked up
back on its pile and nodded back.
For the next half hour Ackerman led Harry
through a lot of the questions he could be
asked, and ways to answer them. He also
stepped Harry through an idea he had to win
Sirius his freedom - if they had a chance to
use it. And they discussed other ideas while
waiting.
It was half an hour later when Harry was
finally called upon to testify.
Regaining his feet, he gave himself a once
over to ensure everything was neat and tidy
while Ackerman did the same, and followed
the auror back across the hall and through
the door.
Robards then indicated a witness box for
Harry to climb into.
Ackerman stood right in front of it and a little
to the side, just as he did for the Weasley
trial.
Looking around, Harry first checked to make
sure Hermione and Daphne were safe.
Matthias sat between them and both looked
a little anxious for him.
Turning back to the assembled, he first
spotted Dumbledore wearing a garish purple
robe with stars upon it, and not in his usual
Chief Warlock seat. Sitting not far away was
Minister Fudge, and almost too close behind
him, slightly to his right, was 'The Pink Toad',
also known as Madam Umbridge.
Harry did not recognise the wizard who sat in
the nominal Chief Warlock's seat, front and
centre.
The man cleared his throat a little and asked
Harry a set of questions, directly.
"You are Mister Harry James Potter?"
"Yes."
"And Mister Stewart Ackerman, acting as
counsel on retainer for Mister Harry James
Potter, Sir," cut in Ackerman.
The wizard in the Chair nodded back and
continued with his questioning. "You reside
at Number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging,
Surrey?"
"I am incarcerated there for more than two
months each year, yes. Otherwise I reside at
Hogwarts."
There was quite a few murmurs from those
watching, both from the assembled and from
the gallery.
"Your guardians are Vernon and Petunia
Dursley?"
"No, Sir."
"Pardon, Mister Potter?"
"I said, no," Harry stated. "The Dursleys
have never recognised themselves as my
guardians, nor do I recognise them as such.
There is no record... as far as I am aware... of
them ever accepting to be my guardians, and
the term guardian implies they are my
protectors.
"The Dursleys are anything but. They are my
tormentors. They own the house in which I
am enslaved. They cannot stand my presence
and only tolerate me being anywhere near
them because, I believe, of a letter stuck in
my baby blanket wrappings when I
was dumped on their doorstep in the middle
of the night. I was dumped on their doorstep,
without so much as a ringing of the doorbell,
by Albus Dumbledore's own hands."
That generated quite a bit of noise in chatter
from both the assembled and the visitors.
Quite a bit of anger and ire was directed at
Dumbledore, who sat there wincing and
looking as if he'd been sucking on a lemon.
Ackerman momentarily looked up at Harry
with a wide grin on his face.
After he banged his gavel a couple times, the
clearly shocked wizard in the main chair said,
"I... see." Rallying himself, he asked, "Then,
pray tell, who is your rightful guardian?"
'Rightful?' thought Harry with a mental grin.
"Sirius Orion Black," he flatly stated.
Chapter 120
"The man my parents specifically chose as
my godfather, and the man also chosen by
them to be my guardian if anything
happened to them, that meant they could no
longer care for me."
Furore.
Both the assembled and the gallery erupted
in shouting and yelled questions. Some were
directed at Harry, some at Dumbledore, and
some at the wizard leading the assembled
with the gavel in his hand. Ackerman had
returned to grinning back at Harry again.
Once the Chair managed to regain control, he
turned to Harry and said, "Sirius Black is a
wanted felon after having escaped Azkaban.
There is a 'Kiss on Sight' order against him.
He cannot be your rightful guardian."
"Objection!" declared Ackerman.
"Hippogriff dung!" Harry shot back, almost at
the same time. "Sirius Black is NOT a wanted
felon because the term, alone, implies he is a
felon. As he was never convicted of the crime
for which he was summarily... without even a
trial, mind you... flung into Azkaban, means
he is not a felon. Escaping from Azkaban is
not a crime, either. Check your own laws.
"The crime, here, is that the Minister has
ordered an innocent man to be 'Kissed on
sight'. To me, the Minister is attempting to
commit murder most vile of the Head of the
Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. And
is hiding behind a lie to do it."
Further furore.
Looking back at him, again, Ackerman said,
"Harry, don't go there."
Harry just shrugged back.
Once everyone calmed down after a long few
moments, the Chair was about to speak
again when who Harry recognised as Madam
Amelia Bones spoke up. "Chief Interrogator,
if I may?"
"Madam Bones," the Chair - Chief
Interrogator - replied with a bit of a relieved
sigh.
The stern grey haired witch turned her
monocle to Harry and said, "Though this
enquiry is specifically relating to the business
concerning the matters raised in the Daily
Prophet a couple days ago, if Mister Potter
has verifiable evidence as to the innocence
of Sirius Black, it behoves us to hear it."
"The boy is lying!" screeched Madam
Umbridge. "This is not a podium for Mister
Potter to spread his lies."
Harry swivelled his eyes to The Toad and
snarled, "Do not call me a liar, bitch! Or, I will
demand satisfaction!"
Again, furore rose. But, not as much as
previous. The Chief Interrogator was already
banging his gavel as soon as the last word
left Harry's mouth.
"Mister Potter!" he barked, once he regained
control. "Please refrain from such remarks!"
"I see," Harry glared back. "Mister Potter
must refrain from such remarks; but, that
ugly pink toad in a cardigan can spew her bile
as much as she wants."
"No!" the wizard snapped. "Madam
Umbridge. You, too, will refrain from making
such remarks or, unlike Mister Potter, you
will be asked to leave these chambers."
The Toad silently snarled back at Harry for a
second but simply nodded her head once
back at the Chief Interrogator before settling
back in her seat.
"Mister Potter," called Madam Bones, trying
to get things back on track. "Do you have
verifiable evidence as to the innocence of
Sirius Black?"
"I do," he replied. "Or, rather, you do."
"Explain," she demanded.
"Simply done," replied Harry. "First, I
challenge you to present to this hearing the
transcript of trial, the record of evidence, the
transcript of interview, or anything else
relating to the trial of Sirius Orion Black,
other than the record of his incarceration in
Azkaban. You will find nothing.
"Second..." he started to say.
"Hold it," Madam Bones cut in.
Once she saw Harry had stopped speaking,
she turned to the Chief Interrogator and said,
"That's easily enough done. I can send an
auror to collect those records from the Hall
of Records."
The Chief nodded and Madam Bones
gestured to one of her aurors, who was on
the floor. "Do you know what we need?" she
asked man.
When the auror nodded back she flicked her
finger towards the door and commanded,
"Go!"
She then turned back to Harry and said,
"Please, continue."
With a slight nod back, Harry continued.
"Second, I, along with Ronald Weasley, then
Professor Remus Lupin and Hermione
Granger... who is currently sitting in the
visitors' gallery... met him and talked with
him in Hogsmeade on or about the ninth of
June, last year.
"At that time the four of us, including
Professor Severus Snape, also properly met
and talked to someone you all think dead...
Peter Pettigrew... who had been hiding
out..."
At that point the noise levels due to shouting
and other noises, rose too high for Harry to
hear himself think, much less be heard.
More gavel banging and relative silence
returned.
"As I was saying," Harry cut in first. "We also
met Peter Pettigrew out of his animagus
form of a common brown rat, that night. He
had been hiding as the pet of Ronald Weasley,
and before him, his brother, Percy Weasley."
Percy, where he had been diligently taking
notes, suddenly looked up and exclaimed,
"Scabbers?"
Harry turned his gaze on the young man and
smirked. "Scabbers was not a real rat, Percy.
He was Pettigrew hiding in his animagus
form. He was missing the little toe on his left
front paw, wasn't he? Just like Pettigrew cut
off the little finger on his left hand. The loss
of his finger carried over into his animagus
form."
"That's rubbish!" Percy shot back. "I had that
rat for eight years! I'd have known."
"Then Ron had him for about
another three years," Harry firmly remarked.
"That's eleven years, Percy. Rats only live for
a maximum of about four years. That, in
itself, proves that Scabbers was not a real
rat."
Percy went white in shock and sat there
utterly stunned.